The Terrifying Truth

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“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 

~Matthew 7:21, NLT

A person can be sincerely convinced that he is saved, religiously active, doctrinally correct, and admired by others—and still be deceived about his relationship with Christ.

~Theo Pennington


I am aware that I blogged on Matthew 7:21 not long ago but this week I read Martyn Lloyd-Jones take on Matthew 7:21-24. He says it is “the most astounding text in the Bible.” Remember, Tozer said it was the most frightening. Both agree that there is a danger of being self-deceived. The subject that Jesus is dealing with in the passage is false prophets and there is no doubt, they deceive and can be decieved. Jones believed that many false prophets know they are false. Like Balaam, they are theologically correct and they have all the right answers but their heart is bad. Jones says there are two forms of deception: conscious and unconscious. The second group is my concern. They are hypocrites and don’t know it. They are the KNOW-THAT-I-KNOW-THAT-I-KNOW-GROUP; they don’t need faith because they know. Generally speaking, false prophets are highly gifted word smiths. As a rule, they are politically correct and vague. They know how to preach around the cross without offending anyone. They are usually very charming a likable. They never acknowledge their vileness or depravity and they work hard to impress the audience. Martyn Lloyd-Jones believes that Jesus is addressing false prophets in particular in Matthew 7:21-24.

Actually Jones spends four chapters on Matthew 7:21-24 and in the last he gives us some safe-guards agaisnt being self-decieved.

SafeguardScripture
1. Examine yourself regularly. Do not assume that your spiritual condition is healthy simply because you profess faith.2 Corinthians 13:5
2. Test your assurance by Scripture. Do not rest merely on a prayer, decision, baptism, or church membership.1 John 2:3–6
3. Examine your motives. Ask not only what you are doing for Christ, but why you are doing it.1 Corinthians 4:5
4. Cultivate a vibrant Quiet Time with the LORD. Never allow public ministry to replace private devotion.John 15:4–5
5. Listen to your conscience. Do not excuse disobedience by pointing to your good deeds.Psalm 139:23–24
6. Submit to the whole counsel of Scripture. Do not manipulate Scripture to justify your preferences or methods.James 1:22
7. Keep your relationship with Christ central. Our confidence must rest in Him, not in our religious accomplishments.Philippians 3:7–9

These safeguards are not seven additional requirements for earning salvation. They help us recognize whether our professed faith in Christ is genuine.

Three Cautions!

1. We must examine ourselves without becoming obsessed with ourselves. Over introspection can lead to depression. For every look we take of ourselves, take ten at Jesus.

2. We must never confuse the fruit of ministry with the fruit of the Spirit. Example, all gifts are to be exercised in humility. The end does not justify the means nor the attitude.

3. The ultimate safeguard is submission to Christ.

The greatest danger of self-deception is that the deceived person does not know he or she has been deceived. They have an orthodox theology and are very busy doing the right things but they do them for the wrong reasons. They get so caught up in their performance that they neglect the most important aspect of the Christian life: one on one time with Jesus. Our basic source of assurance is the WORD OF GOD, not experience, not feelings, not some past event. God’s word will either convict or comfort but it is the only reliable sourse of assurance.

  • I think Bill is better, they changed a lot of his meds. I have not been since early yesterday morning and headed that way in a couple of hours. Thank you for your prayers.
  • The MEN’S BREAKFAST that was postponed last Saturday is scheduled for this Saturday at Libby’s by the Cross.
  • The Jambalaya Supper is at 5:00 PM on November 1 which is a Sunday evening. There are no more Wednesday night suppers.
  • Two-A-Day midweek services begin November 4. The morning service is at 10:30 am and our first lunch will be KFC and the trimmings. Terri’s team is the host. Week two is Veteran’s day and we will have stew. The night services will be up to Joe. I assume they will stay with 6:00 pm.
  • Our CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE is still on for November 8. It will be 2:00-4:00 and it is strictly an open house, not a house warming. We do not need anything. We don’t have a place to put anything. We just want you to see how good God has been to us and visit our humble abode, that we love.
  • Hard sermons yesterday and we are relieved that it is finished, at least for the moment. We will be back in 1 Peter this Wednesday night and back in John 19 on Sunday.

Have a Magnificent Monday and thanks for reading the blog!!!!

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