“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins: Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:1-10).
Introduction
What kind of people do we have in our churches these days? Are the members of the church actually saved or are they simply just religious? They may appear to be Christians, but it is possible that they only have “a form of godliness” (2 Timothy 3:5). They may enjoy the sermons but in fact are “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7). There are two types of church members that we must avoid becoming ourselves.
Religious
The foundation of most religious people is their own righteousness. They have never felt the need to repent of their sin, but instead attend church out of a sense of duty. They believe that they will get to Heaven on the basis of their morality rather than Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, and therefore dismiss the need to be born again. Without repentance they are doomed to everlasting punishment regardless of their church membership. “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:5) … “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41).
Such people have simply become reformed sinners. They have religion but no repentance. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5). They may know the Bible, but that only makes them informed reformed sinners if they have not committed their lives to Christ. It does not matter if they believe that Jesus will let them into Heaven because they are good church-going people, He said, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” … “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” … “Ye must be born again” (John 3:3, 5, 7). They must repent to be saved.
Lazy
There are many churches that are bursting at the seams, but is that any indication that they are prospering if they do not love the Lord their God in thought, word and deed? Many of our worshippers are workless and lazy. They think that as long as they have accepted Christ as Saviour there is no more to do. They warm a church pew, but their hearts are never on fire for the things of God. They leave everything to others and expect everything to be just so when they arrive. They complain about things, but never lift a finger to help.
Lazy Christians are not what the apostle Paul envisioned when he wrote in Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” True worshippers work for the Lord too. “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God” (Romans 6:13). Such people understand that worship is more than singing songs and clapping in the church service. “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men” (Titus 3:8). They have learnt that without works their worship and faith is in vain. “And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful” (Titus 3:14) … “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26).
Lazy Christians actually dishonour the Lord they claim to love and worship, and as such will never be fruitful. Paul admonishes true believers not to be “slothful in business” but instead be “fervent in spirit; serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11), and it the Lord’s intention that the saved “should go and bring forth fruit” (John 15:16).
Conclusion
“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God:
and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the
gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17). What actually happens inside the house of
God is important, or else we will never be faithful and fruitful witnesses for
the Lord. How sad it will be when the Lord comes to deal with the inhabitants of
His house. How many will hear those awful words, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew
7:23). They will perish despite their religion because they never actually
obeyed the Lord. “In flaming fire
taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our
Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the
presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be
glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe” (2
Thessalonians 1:8-10).
© 8/2/2010