Do You Go To Heaven Because You Think You're Going To Heaven?
Rev. John R. Greene
I have had the honor of ministering in "Black" churches as a "White" minister! I thank God for the honor, because it has truly been an honor. I have been told, "You have the freedom to preach and do anything that the Lord tells you." I have also ministered in "White" churches and prisons across the State. Because of ministry, I have talked to many people who have some "spurious" beliefs.
Spurious means-false, not genuine. Some have told me that they are on their way to heaven. Many have said that they are Christians. But, the one Way to heaven is Jesus, and He says, "Repent!" When we repent of our sins, we change our mind about those sins, turn from them and sin no more. Now, the word spurious comes into practice.
If we hate our brother, sister, race or neighbor, then that hatred is the evidence that Jesus is not dwelling within my heart. If I am still having sex outside of wedlock or worse with a married person (adultery), and I say that I am on my way to heaven, then this too is evidence of no relationship with Jesus. If there is any idol in my life, something that has control over me or stands in my way of God, then these too are evidences that I have a spurious relationship with Jesus.
May I mention a few idols in today's world? Thank you: baseball, sex, spouse, pornography, booze, smoking, lying, gossip, manipulation, gambling, playing church politics, pride, and children to name just a few.
Eze 23:37-39 says, "For they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands; and with their idols have they committed adultery; and they have also caused their sons, whom they bare unto me, to pass through [the fire] unto them to be devoured. Moreover this they have done unto me: they have defiled my sanctuary in the same day, and have profaned my sabbaths. For when they had slain their children to their idols, then they came the same day into my sanctuary to profane it; and, lo, thus have they done in the midst of my house."
We can say that we are Christians, but words are absurd. When Jesus comes to live in our hearts it is because we have repented of our sins. Except for 2 hours on Sunday morning, too many people live in sin 166 hours the rest of the week. Then, they profane God's house by showing up! Please don't be fooled by the devil. Don't think that because you go to church that it means your sin is okay to keep. You may believe that God is okaying your sin, but He is actually giving you time to repent of that sin before He is forced to judge it. Don't be fooled.
Jesus loved you enough to die on Calvary when Hebrews 2:15,15 tell us that He destroyed the works of the devil and the fear that he uses to keep us yoked to bondage. We must repent and use the truth of God's Word to claim and appropriate the victory in our lives. Jesus died for your victory, just believe it! Get into church, run to the altar during the altar call, repent of your sin, and walk away free in Jesus! Amen!!
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