Realities of a True Christian

“Lazarus, come forth.” Jesus, having just wept with Mary and Martha, spoke with a loud voice calling the dead man to awaken to life. With authority and power new life was commanded from the Son of God. Soon followed these words, “Unbind him, and let him go.” Today, in an even more wicked and unbelieving world, Jesus still calls the dead to new life and commands the grave clothes to come off. Oh I wish that all mankind would fall down and worship the King and truly believe and truly confess that Jesus is Lord in this last hour; especially those who claim to know something of Christianity. Unfortunately in the prosperity driven societies, and especially that of North America, we have millions of professing Christians and thousands of so called ‘churches’ that are wrapped in grave clothes of death. They say, “relevance matters; sin is only an issue; godliness is obsolete; we know a new and better way; tolerance; love wins.” They are comfortable in their rot and hell-bound garments. Do not be fooled, God has not changed. He does not have a bunch of undisciplined children running around. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament and He is still the only Way, the only Truth and the only Life. There must be a reality of the power of God upon the life of the believer. Life must be breathed into the dead heart whereby stone turns to flesh, a new Spirit is given and God’s laws are stamped on the new heart and placed deep within the new life. There must be a reality of bearing one’s own cross; a sacrificial laying down of selfish desires; an attaching with the Holy Spirit in soul convicting discipline of sin; a sacrificial love for Christ and the brethren; a continual killing of worldliness; a growing in holiness and sanctification; a turning from sin and the things which God hates. How can we give testimony to the power of the Spirit if the Spirit has not given testimony to us first? How can we give an account for the hope that is in us if the hope (that being the living presence of Christ and the Spirit of God) has not taken residence within us? How can a person walk around thinking they, in their own strength, can convince others of being alive while they are dressed in the worldly poison soaked garments of death? Who do they think they are kidding? They may be convincing themselves and their friends that they are believers but let me assure you they will not fool God as they stand naked and fully exposed before the Lord of Glory at the Great White Throne Judgment. On that dreaded day mercy will flee, heaven and earth will run but find no home and those who have not been truly converted will cease from eternal life. They will be thrown into the lake of fire whereby God will fully deliver their due penalties for denying Christ. He will sustain His wrath that was previously pronounced upon them for all eternity. Those of you in Church leadership, those of you who teach and preach in the pulpit, those of you in Church authority, take heed here – for you “will incur stricter judgment.” As those who have taken the holy name of Christ upon themselves and who are not true as they claim, they will suffer God’s wrath; but how much more will you who teach and you overseers be guilty before Christ? Are you causing anyone to stumble? Take heed and thoroughly inspect your claim, your confession, and your lifestyle, unless of course you are afraid to find that Christ is indeed not in you.