Are You His?

Have you ever noticed that no matter where you go, everyone seems to know God?  I hear it all of the time; “Hey, I’m a Christian,” or the famous, “I’m a sinner saved by grace.” However, after examining their lifestyle by their fruit, you often see a complete hypocrite.  What is a Christian?  What does it take to be one?  

Matthew 7:21-23 says a lot:  

Not every one 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. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

That is a lot to take in, especially if you think of how many times you have said to yourself that you are a Christian.  The word iniquity means “sin” or “lawlessness.”  1 John 3 talks about sin as breaking God’s law - His perfect standard.   Do you keep His Commandments?  In John 15:1-2 Christ says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.  Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”  He also said, “He that abideth in me, and I in Him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me, ye can do nothing.”

A true Christian can honestly say from his or her heart, “I can’t do this without Christ.”  He is the one showing people that he is a Christian, not saying it.  Can you honestly say in your heart that you are doing everything in your life to please the One you say you serve?  This is where it gets to blunt honesty.  If you are not honest, you cannot change the things that God is telling you to change, and you won’t be able to see any farther than where you are.  You can’t fake it.  He sees all things before Him in the light.   Examine yourself before God now because you might not get another chance.  

Oh, and by the way, “grace” is what God gives us through Christ to overcome the things that we within ourselves cannot change.  Read Titus 2 and you will see that His grace teaches us to deny “ungodliness and worldly lusts.”  This is where the power is to change and please God in all things.  Keep thanking the Lord for the mind of Christ, read the Bible for more of His character, and see His heart towards you: love.