There is a stark contrast between some of these TV preachers and the true teachings of Jesus Christ. Emphasizing the importance of doing God's will, Jesus stated, "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21, KJV).
John the Apostle reinforces this message by stressing that if we genuinely know Jesus, we will strive to be like Him. In 1 John 3, he explains that those who continue to sin have not truly seen or known Jesus: "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him" (1 John 3:6, KJV). Many people claim to be followers of Christ but continue to sin daily, mistakenly believing they are covered by grace. However, according to John, these individuals have not truly encountered Jesus or understood His mission.
Jesus came to purify and prepare a bride for Himself, and the Apostle Paul clarifies the role of grace in our lives. In Titus 2:11-12, he writes, "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world" (KJV). If someone claims to be under grace but does not learn to reject ungodliness and live righteously, they are self-deceived.
Many people, religious people, once thought that if God were reasonable, He would recognize their good deeds and grant them entrance to heaven. However, Proverbs warns against self-flattery, stating, "A man's pride shall bring him low" (Proverbs 29:23, KJV). This self-deception is a common affliction among humanity, as demonstrated by the Laodicean church in Revelation 3.
They believed they were spiritually rich and secure, but Jesus rebuked them, saying, "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" (Revelation 3:17, KJV). Their lukewarm faith made God nauseated: "So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth" (Revelation 3:16, KJV).
In summary, true followers of Christ must strive to do the will of the Father, reject sin, and live righteously under grace. Self-deception and self-flattery only lead to spiritual poverty, as exemplified by the Laodicean church. To genuinely know Jesus, we must seek to be more like Him and embrace the transformative power of His grace.
As followers of Christ, we must not only focus on doing God's will but also on cultivating a deep, personal relationship with Him. This relationship is essential for our spiritual growth and understanding of His divine purpose for our lives.
In the Gospels, Jesus emphasized the importance of abiding in Him, using the metaphor of the vine and branches: "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5, KJV). To bear fruit in our lives, we need to remain connected to Jesus, the source of life and spiritual nourishment.
In addition to abiding in Jesus, we must also be diligent in studying the Word of God, which serves as a guide for our lives: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105, KJV). As we immerse ourselves in Scripture, we gain wisdom and understanding, enabling us to discern God's will and apply biblical principles to our daily lives.
Prayer is another essential component of our relationship with God. Through prayer, we communicate with our Heavenly Father, expressing our gratitude, confessing our sins, and seeking His guidance: "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God" (Philippians 4:6, KJV).
Moreover, we are called to be active members of the body of Christ, participating in fellowship with other believers and serving one another in love: "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching" (Hebrews 10:24-25, KJV).
In conclusion, a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ requires a commitment to doing God's will, abiding in His presence, studying His Word, praying continually, and engaging in fellowship and service with other believers. These practices will help us grow spiritually, overcome self-deception, and become more like Christ, ensuring that we are prepared for His return and the fulfillment of His eternal kingdom.
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SI Moderator - Greg Gordon
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