FOLLOWING THE WORLD AND JESUS?
You cannot follow the world and Jesus, and go to heaven-ref Jn 9:23,24; Ja 4:4; Lk 9:23,24; 11:34,35; Jn 10:27. Many that believe in God and know they are saved, will perish-ref Mt 7:14,21-27. Faith that saves will stand the test of hardships, persecutions, and even death. Life is the test to see if YOU will hear, read & obey the Gospel-Exo 20:20, 2 Cor 8:8. Adam and Eve were tested. The Israelites through the wilderness were tested. Jesus was tested, and YOU ARE BEING TESTED.
Jesus tells TODAY’S CHURCH and people, that its teaching and condition is wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—but they do not know or understand this. Lukewarm Christians shall be spit out and perish, except they repent-Rev 3:13-21; 2 Tim 4.
From many of today’s pulpits, not all, the preaching is designed to make a person feel good. There is laughing, entertainment, and teaching that makes people confident they are ready for heaven, but they are not. Some believe this is the best church age ever, but the Bible indicates it is the worst (ref Rev 3:14-22). Anything less than a total committment of love and obedience to Christ is lukewarm, or cold, and the lake of fire lies ahead. Jesus is the Word (ref Jn 1:1,14) and that Word, the Holy Bible, should be preached. Not stories about the Word, but Scripture should be quoted. For it is written, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith-Rom 1:16,17.
Some may say, "I want to hear that GOD loves me and is not willing that any should perish. Don’t tell ME “I” must repent (Lk 13:3), deny myself, take up my cross daily, and follow Jesus (or follow the Bible) (Lk 9:23). Don’t tell me about sin, or that I need to forsake everything (Lk 14:33), and live for Christ (2 Cor 5:15). Don’t tell me I can’t do whatever I want (Gal 5:17), and that I am to conform to the image of Christ (Ro 8:29). Don’t tell me I must be born-again and transformed, and that my mind must be renewed by reading the Bible (Jn 3:3; Ro 12:2)".
Many may say, "No way am I going to forsake my plans, my dreams, my hopes, my desires and surrender all for Christ. My church does not teach this, nor do I want to hear it.
Don’t tell me I should leave my church because it does baptism by sprinkling (Ro 6:4; Col 2:12), or because it takes a stand against Israel, or because it doesn’t teach repentance, or prophecy (Rev 19:10). What difference does it make if my church does not preach on the soon-coming Rapture or Tribulation? So what if my church doesn't teach on the judgments that come on humans due to sin, or warn us about the lake of fire--So what?" If the blind lead the blind both perish. If you are not learning about God's plan for all mankind, through the eyes of the Bible, if you are not warned about the wrath to come, if you are not living by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God--you will perish.
Rev 3:20 shows Jesus standing outside of today’s church (His church) knocking on the door. Will you open the door of your heart and let Jesus (God’s Word) come in? There is a vast difference between what Jesus taught versus the watered-down, sugar-coated, jokes and storytelling gospel that deceives people today. What profit is there if you gain the whole world, but perish for eternity?
“Real” born again Christians LOVE GOD’S WORD, the BIBLE. They should be humble, broken, and fear God. Does this fit you? Examine yourself-2 Cor 13:5. A true, newborn Christian craves God’s Word so the Spirit of God can grow in them. Are you claiming to be saved, but that craving to study the Bible is absent?-1 Pe 2:2,3. Is your Bible collecting dust? Are you ashamed or afraid to speak of Jesus or the Bible, or to pray over your meals?-Mk 8:38.
You need to trust in Christ, humble yourself, repent, be baptized by full immersion-Acts 2:38; Ro 6:4; Col 2:12; Mt 28:19. The proof a person is saved is their fruits, their desire to study God’s Word, their love for the brethren. To follow Jesus is to follow His Word.