Tuesday, December 9, 2008
2 Corinthians 10:7 You are looking only on the surface of things. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as he.
LABELS DON'T GUARANTEE APPROVAL
In the Corinthian congregation there were arguing factions. These factions had aligned themselves with different leaders in the church. Some said, "We follow Paul." Others said, "We follow Apollos." Others said, "We follow Cephas." One other group got the wise idea to say instead, "We follow Christ." Ha! How do you beat that!
Paul says, "Don't be fooled by labels." If they're really Christians, so what? So is Paul. The name "Christian" does not give reason to boast over against other Christians. Besides, just because a person says "I follow Christ" doesn't guarantee that they do. Jesus once told His disciples: "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!'" (Matthew 7:21-23).
Don't assume that your neighbors who go to church are really Christians. Find out what they really believe. Look in their lives for the signs of faith in Christ. What do they really believe will open the gates of heaven for them when they die? Is it Jesus alone? Or is it something else that they put their trust in? Outward labels cannot save, so don't be fooled by them.
This goes for you too. This Advent, prepare for the arrival of Christ the right way: examine your own heart. Ensure that Christ sits alone on the throne of your heart. He is our only hope for the Father's approval. If you find anything or anyone crowding His spot, confess it to the Father and know that through the Son you have full forgiveness and the Father's complete approval.
