So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32-33 ESV)
We were sitting around with some friends discussing the news of the day and the various politicians that profess to be Christians. It got us to thinking about how many people when handed forms check off ‘protestant’ or ‘evangelical’ and other identifiers on questionnaires and yet don’t actually set their spiritual identity beyond the little check box.
It’s just another label in their life: height, weight, ethnicity, language and religion. Yet, when they go about their days, they don’t give any thought to the One who gave His life for that ‘label’ of Christianity.
My friend made the comment, ‘They are professing something that they don’t really understand . . . when they could be possessing the very Spirit that gives the true identity and rebirth’.
Talk about the saddest statement ever. It’s like having the winning golden ticket and standing outside the Wonka factory with it tucked inside your pocket. Here you have the answer – the opportunity to change your life – both on earth and for eternity – but you just check off a box and don’t give any thought beyond a title. You profess but don’t possess.
Jesus said, ‘Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matthew 7:21-23 ESV)
I truly believe that it’s not about religion. It’s about relationship. Wear whatever title you’d like, join whichever denomination floats your boat, but if you don’t know Him daily, personally and you haven’t surrendered your will giving Him possession of Your life, you will be outside the gates.
We need to give Him Lordship – ownership – of our lives or we are just checking off a box here on earth.
Father, please get a hold of our hearts. Forgive us for taking on religion when you’ve called us to put on Christ. Kill off the old man in our hearts and rebirth in us the changing, regenerating Holy Spirit to walk with You as we surrender our will to Yours. We need to know You, Lord! We need to not just call You Lord, but to truly give You lordship of our lives! Make it so, sweet Spirit, make it so! Amen!
