Am I a Christian? Are they Christians?

I was asked recently about a person, whether they are saved or not?

This is a common question. And there are so many verses to answer this question. To simplify, something that is complex, is very difficult. Often there are deep emotions, and/or deep relationships, that can cloud our judgement. The truth of the verse will both clarify, and cut. The word of God will cut to the heart (remember we are talking about heart surgery in the last message) Heb 4:12. So it is supposed to hurt us.

Also remember, each and every person stands before God, not in what they believe is true, but what God’s word is actually said. The Bible people use, to justify what ever they want. This verse says; that verse says. So, people try to use God’s word, to justify their side of an argument.

We can never, ever “convince” a person, by “Bible bashing”. Why? Only God can open their minds to the truth Lk 24: 45. You can’t. I can’t. Only God can. And he will either do this, or not. His choice and his creation Acts 13: 48 to those appointed to eternal life, believed. You are responsible for what you believe. You are not accountable for another person’s eternal destination. You are accountable for what God has revealed to you. That is what you are judged for.

For simplicity’s sake, I have made four Groups of people, throughout the whole Bible.

Groups of people

Group One

These are pagans.

Never fellowshipped with Christians.

These people we would call atheist- no God. They are also agnostic- no knowledge of God. I think we do not need verses for this.

We know many of them, family, friends- they are not interested in Christ or Salvation

I share God’s word to them to turn from the world to God

Group two

Syncretism

There are those accepting Christian teaching. They believe the Bible to be true. They do all the Christian things. Church, outreaches, singing and dancing, etc.

But they still adhere to pagan practices.

Paul address this in Galatians, Philippians Corinthians.

Reliance on external rituals, instead of faith in Christ.

Rituals are the bane of syncretism.

These group of people Jesus, upon their death- Mth 7: 23, says away from me, I do not know you.

They did all the Christian things, but were actually faithless.

Moses had the same issue- people were circumcised- outwardly performing, but not in the heart-

Deut 10: 16

I share to them, stop their stubbornness, stop following pagan practices. Or it will destroy them. I have many friends in this group. Many. But its not about friendship, or choosing sides.

Its about your eternal choice.

Group three

This group is those who have accepted the true Jesus and thrown away paganism, they have thrown away syncretism, as they have truly accepted the Truth. Christ alone.

This group is world wide clear.

This is pure worship of Jesus in spirit and in truth.

Joel 2: 32 whoever calls upon the Name of the LORD, will be saved

Acts 2: 21 whoever calls upon the Name of the LORD, will be saved

John 5: 24 they have crossed over, from darkness to light

SAVED

Moved from Group One to Group three

Moved from Group Two to Group three

They are Group 3

SAVED

The Group 4.

This is the hardest Group. Hardest as they are the ones who Paul had much trouble with 2 Tim 4: 14.

John writes 1 John 2: 19a. Both of these are people who have left Group 3 and gone to Group 4.

Apostate.

The tragedy is, this group cause more harm, than groups 1, 2, and 3.

The tragedy is the message of Heb 6: 4-6.

If they are apostate, walked away from truthful living fellowship, they can never be brought back to repentance

Heart breaking.

As we will look into each Group, remember please,

Mth 7: 1 do not judge others

James 4: 12 God is Judge

Luke 12: 57 Jesus said, make your own decision

I obey this. I decide, for myself, whether I preach or share God’s Word, according to the Group in whose company I am in