As followers of Jesus, it's essential to understand the difference between a genuine transformation and a superficial one.
In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus warns us, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one 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 in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'".
This passage reminds us that mere words and actions are not enough. We can't simply claim to follow Christ without truly surrendering our lives to Him. True conversion involves a heart transformation, a dying to self, and a new life in Christ. It's not just about external actions but an internal change that bears fruit in our lives.
In 2 Corinthians 5:17, it says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" This new creation is not a surface-level change but a deep, spiritual transformation that affects every aspect of our being.
So, examine your hearts today. Have you truly met Jesus, or are you just going through the emotions? Is your faith a genuine, life-giving relationship with Christ, or is it just a false facade?
Many of us may think we're saved because we've done certain religious acts or professed faith in Jesus, but the Bible warns us that mere words and actions are not enough.
In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus himself tells us that many people who call him Lord and perform great deeds in his name will be rejected on Judgment Day because they never truly knew him. They never obeyed God's laws or did his will. This is a sobering reminder that simply claiming to be a Christian or doing good deeds is not enough to guarantee our salvation.
In fact, the Bible teaches us that our faith must be tested and proven genuine through trials and temptations. James 1:12 says, "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." Our faith must endure to the end, as Jesus said in Matthew 10:22, "Those who endure until the end will be saved."
Judas, one of Jesus' own disciples, serves as a tragic example of a false convert. He professed faith in Jesus but ultimately rejected him and betrayed him. His heart was never truly transformed, and he failed the tests and temptations that came his way.
My friends, let us examine our hearts today. Have we truly surrendered our lives to Jesus, or are we just going through the motions? Are we obeying God's laws and doing his will, or are we living in rebellion against him? Let us not be like those who cry out, "Lord, Lord!" but never truly knew him.
May we remember that we're not saved by our works, but our works are evidence of our salvation. May we strive to live lives of obedience and love for Jesus, and may we persevere in our faith until the very end.
Let us seek the Lord with all our hearts and ask Him to reveal any areas of false conversion in our lives. May we truly know Him, and may our faith be a vibrant, life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
