“Nothing will drive you to hell faster than religion!” Our church’s senior pastor was quite precise about the fact too many church goers attend only Christmas and Easter services and fool themselves into a false sense of spiritual security.
The fact is these same folks are the ones who give Christianity a bad name. These are the religious fanatics, mostly catholic hypocrites who spend the bulk of their lives answering to ritualistic idolatry rather than applying the word of God. When was the last time you witnessed a Catholic revival? Or even an alter call in a Catholic church?
Odds are you will not see such an endearing manifestation among reformed religions considering all those belonging to a congregation are too busy keeping face. It’s no wonder these “type A” Christians have to hide to confess their sins– Another bold strike against God’s commands.
A former Catholic myself I admit confessional was always regarded more as a hypocritical farce then an actual part of one’s spiritual journey. I consider myself blessed to have evolved into the true essence of Christianity parting ways with ritualistic boredom once and for all.
God commands us to hold one another accountable for our actions, for our sins. Further more, He expects us to do this to glorify and honor Him rather than defy Him by hiding behind closed doors in confessional closets where sin becomes habitual much to Satan’s delight.
The bible tells us of such spiritual slander. God also warns us about the day of judgment when He alone will decide who gets to walk through the pearly gates of heaven. Independently of your good deeds, it is your faith that will dictate how your works are received or perceived by God. He knows our hearts and will not hesitate to turn anyone away from His kingdom.
“The kingdom of heaven shall be compared to ten maidens who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those maidens rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘Perhaps there will not be enough for us and for you; go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut. Afterward the other maidens came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he replied, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.”
Will God “know you” when you get to heaven? I sure hope so. The alternative comes at a price no one can afford.
If you believe in Jesus Christ and the word of God but cannot remember the day you surrendered your life to the Lord, you may be in for a bad, bad surprise.
On the celebration of Jesus’ birthday, how can you be certain that Christ will in deed know you? Accept Him as your Lord and savior, confess your sins and ask for His forgiveness. The rest will come in time. In His time.
Let’s pray!
Father God;
We thank you for looking after us the way you do
And for providing more than we’ll ever need in this life
So we can rejoice with you in the next.
Lord we pray that you will continue to inspire us
To keep surrendering our lives to you in perfect obedience.
We ask that you give us wisdom and strength
To overcome challenges you lay before us,
Which you use as building blocks
So we can grow to be more like you.
Lord we know we need to learn to walk before we can run
And ask you to keep looking out for us with each step,
As we stumble through this life day after day
Until our seat in heaven is ready.
God we love you and thank you for all that surrounds us!
Praise God,
Amen!
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
Email: DanielStPierre@ThriveThroughChrist.com
