The Finish Line
Most churches today are not teaching their people the truth
in regard to salvation. They are taught that by simply reciting the sinner’s
prayer that they are saved and the angels are singing in Heaven. The sinner’s
prayer is a great prayer when done in sincerity, but this alone does not save a
person’s soul, it is just the beginning. Most churches today are not teaching
their people to repent of their sins and to be born again. To be born again, a
person must become a new creation in Christ, and this means to be set apart
from the world and unto God. The Apostle Paul addressed his letters to the
saints in Christ, the word saint means, set apart ones, so Paul’s letters were
to the set apart ones. In Romans chapter six Paul teaches that we are not to
continue in sin but we must live for Christ. If Jesus Christ is truly the Lord
of your life then his attributes will be apparent in your life. Christ said
that any tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into
the fire. Also note, that in the following verse Paul said that we are being
saved, therefore we must never become complacent in our spiritual walk . 2 Cor 2:15 For we are to God the fragrance of
Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.
This life of probation, may be compared to running a race.
We run this race of life hoping to obtain the prize, which is eternal life with
God, but if we do not complete the race and cross the finish line, then all is
lost. Even Paul said that if he didn’t discipline his body to bring it into
subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become
disqualified. Paul was saying that like a runner in a race keeps his body in
good physical condition, we must also keep our spiritual body in good condition
so that we might be able to cross the finish line and win our crown. 1 Cor 9:24 Do you not know that those who run
in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may
obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes
for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable
crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one
who beats the air. 27 But I discipline
my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I
myself should become disqualified. Christ said that those who endure unto the
end shall be saved, if we fail to cross the finish line in victory, then all is
lost. Matt 10:22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who
endures to the end will be saved. Matt 24: 12 And because lawlessness will
abound, the love of many will grow cold.
13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be
preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end
will come. The lukewarm church of the end time is preaching a greasy grace
message that makes people feel good, instead of
teaching them the truth. When there is no distinction between the sinful
world and the saints, then the salt has lost it’s savor and the truth has been
turned into a lie. If we live, dress, talk, as well as act like sinners, then
we are lost as well. Christ made atonement upon the cross for sins committed in
ignorance, as well as for sins that are repented of. If we do not repent of
willful sins, then there is no forgiveness. Atonement is not automatic, it
follows repentance. No one is perfect of course, but we are called to
righteousness, and this means to live right.
Many people profess to know God but deny him by their
actions. If we know Christ then we should have the mind of Christ, as well as
bear good fruit. Christ said that if you love him then you will obey his
commandments. Titus 1: 14 not giving
heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. 15 To the pure all things are pure, but to
those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and
conscience are defiled. 16 They profess
to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and
disqualified for every good work.
Also, consider the
parable of the sower of seed. Matt 13:
18 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower:
19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand
it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.
This is he who received seed by the wayside.
20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears
the word and immediately receives it with joy;
21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when
tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns
is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of
riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But he who received seed on the good
ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and
produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” In this parable Christ
illustrates how many people fall away from the faith because they have no
strong root. The seed is the Word of God and many people don’t understand what
they read and the wicked one (Satan) will deceive them and steal what was sown
in their heart, these have fallen by the wayside. Others who have no root,
endure for awhile, then fall away from Christ because of hard times, or
persecution, or tribulation, these people may hold prominent positions within
the church, or may have been professing Christians for years, but they usually
blame God for some tragedy or circumstance in their life and fall away. I have
known many people who have fallen away from Christ due to hardship. Others, the
deceitfulness of riches or the cares of the world, choke the word and they
become unfruitful. God’s Word teaches that the love of money is the root of all
evil, but many of the television evangelists, as well as mega church leaders
are into money worship and are leading the masses astray, the prosperity gospel
is the polar opposite of the teachings of Christ. Christ said, that it is
easier for a camel to pass through the eye of an needle, than for a rich man to
enter Heaven. But he who received the seed on good ground, produced fruit,
thirty, sixty or one hundred fold. Not every Christian will produce the same
degree of good fruit, some may produce only 30 fold fruit, but they are still
doing their best to pursue Christ. If we produce zero fruit then we are in
serious trouble. The parable of the sower of seed, very clearly shows us that
it is possible to fall away from Christ.
The Book of Revelation was given to the Apostle John by the
angel of Jesus Christ. Within Revelation, Christ gave warnings to the various
churches that they must keep the commandments of God or they would be cast
away. In Rev 2:4 Christ told them that they had left their first love, he told
them to repent, and do their first works over or he would remove their
lampstand from it’s place. He also told the church of Sardis to repent, because
their works, were not found to be perfect before God. Christ told the church of
Laodicea that because they are lukewarm that he would vomit them out of his
mouth. As you can see, the Word of God teaches us that it is very possible to
fall from grace, due to sin, or lack of faith. It is time for the lukewarm
churches to wake up and stop leading people astray. James states the truth very
clearly, when he said that faith without works is dead.
Rev 2: 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have
left your first love. 5 Remember
therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I
will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you
repent.
Rev 3:1 “And to the
angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven
Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name
that you are alive, but you are dead. 2
Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for
I have not found your works perfect before God.
3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and
repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and
you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
Rev 3: 14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans
write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the
Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I
know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold
or hot. 16 So then, because you are
lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become
wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched,
miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I
counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and
white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may
not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.
Therefore be zealous and repent. 20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the
door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit
with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His
throne.
