Playing Church…….

“Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven.

Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name?

And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands].”   Matthew  7:21-23 AMP

"I never knew you: Depart from me."  Can you imagine standing before God and hearing those words?

Can you imagine the fear and terror that would grip your heart when you realize that you were never saved after all?

Sadly, I believe that many people will die and will be told those words by Jesus.

These people are those who have a false sense of security as far as their salvation in concerned.  These people mistakenly thought that they had a "get-out-of-hell-free card," but they are playing a dangerous game when it comes to matters of their eternal destination.

What a shock it will be for many!

What am I talking about? I am talking about those people who somewhere along the way got the notion in their head that to make it into heaven, all they had to do was say some meaningless words.

It is as though people believe that all they have to do is recite a few choice words and now they are “saved."  And then the mentality of some of these people become, "Hey, I can do whatever I want --– lying, cheating, hating, living with unforgiveness, addictions, greed, jealousy, cursing and belittling others.”

Why?   “Because I said the magic words, and I am now”saved.”"

Well, being saved is not just having an emotional moment when the preacher gives the altar call.   Being saved is not something you "get," as though you can pick up a carton of "saved" from the store and then just go home and put it on a shelf for emergency use only.

How can you say, "Jesus, come into my life and be my Savior and Lord," or whatever the words were, and then continue on willfully living a life of sinful rebellion?

 Friend, if you have no interest in pleasing the Lord, following the Lord's commandments, walking in obedience, developing a relationship with the Lord, or turning from your sins, you are probably not saved!

Some have said the words, but their actions show that they meant nothing.

So why would someone deceive himself or herself into believing that saying a few quick words at an altar call is any indication that they are saved?

 Yet many do just that.  If you are truly saved, there should be some indication of that in your life.  We cannot add to what Jesus did on the cross, but if Christ is your Savior and Lord and the Holy Spirit is living inside of you, that should manifest itself in some way, shape, or form.

 You should have a desire to do the will of your Heavenly Father.  You should love Jesus' more than sin.   You would crave His Word.  You would hate sin. You would not see salvation as something that gives you a license to sin.

Lastly, the Church as a whole has failed many people who have come to the altar to be introduced to Jesus and seek forgiveness.  

They become a prideful number.  Something to brag about next week!   Many Pastors say the same words over and over without explaining what it means and what to expect.

There is no discipleship, mentoring or information given to the new “converts” explaining what their altar experience is all about and that they will experience warfare.

 Spiritual warfare?  “What is that?”

Surprisingly, many people do not know or understand the spiritual battle that is taking place over their decision to follow Jesus. 

They are left to the “wolves” to figure out what they did and to either make it or return to their old way of life.

Sadly, many churches are caught up in numbers.   They like to brag about how many were saved the week before or during their “revival”.

 What happens to these people?

Where are they?  

Why do we see them return to the altar time after time?

Granted there are people who truly want to be born again and there are others who just play the game.   They want to look holy and act self-righteous while living in disobedience and sin. 

But I believe there are genuine people who want to have a love relationship with Jesus but don’t know how.   They are led to the altar and left there to be slaughtered by the enemy!

The Church is just playing church!