Will You Cry "Lord, Lord"?

One of the greatest sermons Jesus ever spoke was the Sermon on the Mount. As he was closing his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said (in Matthew chapter 7):

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Most of us have read or heard these words and basically understand them to mean that there is only one way to heaven and that the majority of the world will fail to accept it. However, it is the words that follow that ought to make us think. Jesus next says:

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”

The wolves in sheep’s clothing are, of course, those who claim to be religious leaders who really are of the enemy. I was thinking about these words recently and thought about how true that has been throughout history. False prophets have always been among us, deceiving the flock.

In the first century church, there were significant influences from Judiazers who tried to enslave Christians to the law.

In the second and third century church, there were significant influences from those who denied the humanity of Christ, including the Gnostics and the Manicheans, as well as those who denied that our God is also the God of the Old Testament - the Marcionites.

In the early medieval period, there were significant influences that denied the Trinity.

In the later medieval period, the church itself became corrupt, introducing significant heresies into the orthodox doctrine and committing atrocities in the name of Jesus.

During the reformation, those who claimed to be Christians took the lives of others who claimed to be Christians over issues of doctrine.

In the 17th-early 20th centuries, the “Enlightened” denied the supernatural influences in scripture, including the virgin birth of Jesus as well as his resurrection.

Even today, post-modern influences suggest that the truth of scripture is whatever God reveals it to be to you – which might be different than what he reveals it to be to me.

Of course, this is only a sampling. I would argue that there are numerous heresies in the “church” today (after all, just watch religious TV for a while and I think you would agree with me). One has to wonder how effective these false prophets have been at leading the flock astray. I’ve always believed that the truly regenerate church (those who are actually saved) is much smaller than our church roles indicate. The question is… how much smaller. After speaking of these false prophets, Jesus went on to say:

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'”

There are three important things I notice in these words. First, we are not saved by a simple prayer. Modern evangelicalism has done us a great disservice by telling us that if we would just say this prayer or that prayer we will be saved. Prayer will not save us – unless that prayer is one that is genuinely acknowledging and accepting God’s grace through faith. Second. It is absolutely possible to deceive yourself about your own spiritual condition. Those lost souls that Jesus mentions here truly believed that they were saved. Could I be so self-deceived? Could you? Finally, if you look very closely, these were not Sunday pew-sitters that were self-deceived. They were leaders. They were preachers (“did we not prophesy in your name”). They were dedicated, committed, hard workers… but they were lost. That means that we can expect preachers, deacons, elders, Sunday School teachers, and committed volunteers to be among those who find themselves unexpectedly in Hell. None of us are exempt from potential self-delusion. That is why Paul says in 2 Corinthians 13:5-6

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test.”

Jesus alludes to the “grading key” for that test when he describes these false prophets…

“By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” (Mt 7:16-20)

We are not saved by our good works. We are saved by grace through faith. However, if that faith is real and genuine, God's saving grace will transform us into a new creation. We must be different. We cannot be like the world around us. If we are, then we have not experienced the new birth. When I look at the church rolls and the pews on Sunday morning, I cannot help but wonder how many there are living in a state of spiritual self-delusion. Is it 7 of 10, 8 of 10, higher? If the fruit of our lives are any indication, then it is at least that high.

Examine yourself. Will you be one who cries, “Lord, Lord”?

Self Control and Popcorn

I love popcorn. I can’t go to a good movie unless I have a big bag (or bucket) of popcorn to nibble on throughout the movie. Popcorn is a really interesting picture of self control. Inside the kernel, mixed with the proteins and nutrients, there is moisture (which can characterize our natural passions and weaknesses). Outside the kernel is the hull, holding in the seed contents (which can characterize our human desire to keep our passions and weaknesses under control). Whenever heat is applied (which can characterize external pressures and temptations that draw upon our desires and weaknesses), the moisture within the kernel heats up, wishing to expand. The hull does its best to hold in the expanding moisture vapors until it can do so no longer, resulting in a violent explosion – and a yummy piece of popcorn. Unfortunately, the popcorn picture of self-control is not so yummy. When the external pressures feed on our internal desires and weaknesses beyond our ability to control them, the result is just as violent as popcorn, but it very ugly and anything but yummy.

Self-control is an important defender of our Christian testimony. Consider how quickly your life and your testimony can be destroyed because of a lack of self-control. Unfortunately, we cannot maintain our self-control on our own merits. Unlike popcorn, which often leaves a few kernels un-popped, we all – in our own strength - eventually fail to contain our passions and weaknesses.

For this reason, self-control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. However, if you read 2 Peter 1:5-7, you can see that it is also a fruit of knowledge - knowledge of God and of yourself. Plus, when you read elsewhere in scripture, you also find that self-control is a fruit of self-discipline and spiritual exercise. How can this be? It appears to be a contradiction, but really it is not. Self control is possible through a knowledge of God (and of ourselves), is empowered by the Holy Spirit, and is perfected through disciplined application within our lives.

In our pilgrimage from goodness to godliness, we all need to perfect self-control in our lives so that we may overcome the temptations that the enemy sets before us and so defend our Christian testimony.

To hear more about self control, click on the link below to listen to the sermon, Self Control: The Ultimate Self Defense.

Self-Control: The Ultimate Self Defense
http://www.box.net/shared/ydjnoj5a88