Wednesday, April 3, 2019

“Those Christ Never Knew” (Pt. 1) (April 3, 2019)


Allen Raynor Weblog: “Those Christ Never Knew” (Pt. 1)

(April 3, 2019)

 

          Two generations ago Dr. Hugh Price Hughes was one of the great preachers of London.  In that day, Charles Bradlaugh, a famous atheist, challenged the great preacher to a public debate.  Hughes agreed to debate with the following provisions: he would bring a hundred people who had been redeemed by the Spirit of Christ as witnesses to the Christian faith, and Brandlaugh was to bring a hundred pagans who had found satisfaction in their godless way of life.  The hall was filled to capacity on the night of the debate.  Dr. Hughes was there with his hundred people, but Brandlaugh never did show up.  He could debate the preacher as long as they used arguments; but when they began using lives, he was defeated.  As long as we simply talk to the world, we will never win, but when we begin showing the world our lives which have been redeemed by Christ, then the world cannot argue back.

          Throughout His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus called for “life-change.”  Without a life-change, one’s “religion” is nothing more than a system of beliefs.  True Christians have a relationship with Jesus Christ and not merely a “religion.”  It has been said “To be active in religious affairs is no substitute for obeying God.”  In Matthew 7:21-23 Jesus says “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!’”

          This world is full of people that speak in empty words.  It has always been so.  Not everyone who “talks the talk,” actually “walks the walk.”  Many are self-deceived about their Christianity.  They point to the day they were baptized or walked the aisle or talked to the preacher.  But, their lives have no reflection of the work of Christ.  James wrote “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22)  Romans 2:13 says “For not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified.”  There are a great many people who are trusting in something from the past.  If Jesus is not your “present” then you do not have a personal relationship with Him and need to be evangelized, repent of your sins, and embrace Christ as your Lord and Savior.  James Montgomery Boice writes this warning “So beware, especially if you sense you are a nominal Christian only.  There are many paths to hell, many of them religious, but there is only one way to heaven, and that is through trusting in Jesus Christ.” (James Montgomery Boice; Matthew Vol. 1; 116)

          One might ask, how so many people could be going the wrong way.  It almost seems like the majority should be right.  But, Jesus is very clear on this.  In verses 13-14 of this same chapter He has instructed them to “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.” (Mat. 7:13-14)  From there, He goes on to warn that you will know who a person really is by their fruit.  He further warns there are a lot of deceivers out there.  In verses 15-20 He says “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.  You will know them by their fruits.  Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?  Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” (Mat. 7:15-20)  Now, in verse 21 He clarifies the same overall point even further when He says “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” (vs. 21)

          There are a lot of ways that seem right to a person but all those ways lead to death except for one.  Jesus could not be clearer.  He told us He is the Way, Truth, and Life and that no one enters except through Him.  He referred to Himself as “The Door” in the Gospel of John.  There is no other way to enter Heaven.  Lots of people are making fanciful claims today about one thing or another, but the Scripture says what it says and no amount of twisting or bending will make the Scripture into anything other than what it already is.  But, I would argue that is a very good thing.  We do not have to be, or stay, confused.  Jesus said He is the way (the only way) to God.  He made it black and white so we do not have to wonder.  This is just one more wonderful thing to praise and thank Him for!

 

In Christ,


Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor

No comments:

Post a Comment