Inheritance: The Vanity of Outward Religion

God's Warth is Coming... Are You Ready?

You had better listen to the words of Jesus, “Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord, shall enter, but he that does the will of my father in heaven.” If ye by the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the flesh, ye shall live. If you live after the flesh, you’ll die! The cross does not give us a minor shift or two with regard to a few of our ethical and religious values. The cross radically disrupts the very center and citadel of your life from self to Christ. And if the cross has not done that, YOU’RE NOT A CHRISTIAN! My Friend face it, young rogue, you’re not a Christian until the cross has radically disrupted the very center and citadel of your life! And brought you from a life of commitment to serve self…What are the focal points of the reign of your self? If you’ve gone to the cross in union with Christ, it’s been shattered!"
- Al Martin

Saturday, May 15, 2010

The Vanity of Outward Religion

Before I get to the point of this post, I just have to post a picture which unfortunately I did not take but is of one of the cutest little guys you ever saw: Knox Defender Bradrick.

OK, so now the main point of the post:

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." - Mat 7:21

"The first lesson here us the uselessness of a mere outward profession of Christianity. Not every one that saith, "Lord, Lord," shall enter the kingdom of heaven. Not all that profess and call themselves Christians shall be saved.

"Let us take notice of this. It requires far more than most people seem to think necessary, to save a soul. We may be baptized in the name of Christ, and boast confidently of our ecclesiastical privileges. We may posses head knowledge, and be quite satisfied with our own state. We may even be preachers, and teachers of others, and do "many wonderful works" in connection with our church. But all this time are we practically doing the will of our Father in heaven? Do we truly repent, and truly believe on Christ, and live holy humble lives? If not, in spite of all our privileges and profession, we shall miss heaven at last, and be far cast away. We shall hear those awful words, "I never knew you: depart from me."

J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, vol. 1, pg. 70.

What words will you hear on that day?