How can I say such a thing?
- “…MANY (polys: abundant, overflowing) are called, but FEW (oligos: little, small) are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14) “Enter by the narrow gate; for WIDE is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are MANY WHO GO IN BY IT. Because NARROW is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are FEW WHO FIND IT.” (Matthew 7:13-14) “NOT EVERYONE who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ SHALL ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, but HE WHO DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I NEVER KNEW YOU; depart from Me, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS!’” (Matthew 7:21-23) And then there is this illustration, “…the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to TEN (this represents the entire church in the end) virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now FIVE OF THEM WERE WISE, AND FIVE WERE FOOLISH. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took NO OIL (this OIL represents the Holy Spirit) with them, but the wise TOOK OIL in their vessels with their lamps.” When the cry was heard “Behold, the bridegroom is coming” The foolish said “we have no oil, give us some of yours” we can’t give our relationship with God to someone, THAT’S UP TO EACH ONE INDIVIDUALY. So, the unwise went out to find some but when they came to get in the Lord said, “Assuredly, I say to you, I DO NOT KNOW YOU.’ “WATCH THEREFORE (MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY), for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” (Matthew 25:1-4, 12-13)
How could this be possible?
- A recent article in The Christian Post discussed findings by the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University that found while 61% of American millennials consider themselves to be Christian, just 2% of them were found to hold a biblical worldview. Conducted by George Barna, the study also reported that just 6% of American adults overall hold a biblical worldview.
- So how does Barna define a biblical worldview? He begins with a belief that ABSOLUTE moral truths exist, and that such truth is found in the Bible, and then includes doctrines such as God being the ALL-POWERFUL AND ALL-KNOWING CREATOR of the universe, which He stills rules today; THE BIBLE BEING ABSOLUTLY ACCURATE IN WHAT IT SAYS; Jesus Christ living A SINLESS LIFE; salvation being A GIFT FROM GOD THAT CANNOT BE EARNED; a belief in a LITERAL SATAN; and a responsibility of Christians to SHARE THEIR FAITH.
How can we be sure?
- Know this, “ALL HAVE SINNED (because of Adam and Eve’s sin, the whole human race received the sin nature) and fall short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23)
- “…the WAGES (opsōnion: hire or payment) of sin is DEATH (thanatos: separation from God forever) (Romans 6:23a)
- “…the gift of God is ETERNAL LIFE in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23b)
How do we receive this gift?
- “REPENT (metanoeō: to have your mind changed) and be converted, that your sins may be BLOTTED OUT, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord…” (Acts 3:19) How does our mind get changed? “…do not be CONFORMED (the same as) this world but be TRANSFORMED (metamorphoō: to BE CHANGED into another form, God changes our mind, our way of thinking) by the RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2) “…if anyone is in Christ, he is a NEW CREATION; old things have passed away; behold, ALL THINGS HAVE BECOME NEW.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Start a regular (daily) prayer life (Matthew chapter 6) and a regular daily Bible reading. Pray for God to lead you to a Bible believing church…
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham