False Perceptions

So many in this day and age call themselves “Christian.” But are they really “Christ-like?” Are you truly one chosen by God and known by Him? Does the fruit of your deeds, words, and thoughts mirror the ways of the Lord? Or are you living with a false perception of what is true because of religion?

For to this, you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps. 1 Peter 2:21

To be of Him is to be like Him. To be known by Him is to have a loving heart as He does. In every way, someone who is truly Christian will display the goodness of their heart day in and day out. They will please the Lord in what they do, the same in private as is displayed in public.

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45

The word “Christian” comes from the Greek word Christianos, meaning “follower of Christ,” which comes from the word Christos, meaning “anointed one.” Therefore, anyone who is a follower of Christ and anointed to be one of His is like Jesus Christ.

So the obvious question is, “are all those who claim to be Christians known by God and anointed?” How do you know who is true and who is just pretending? How do you know if they are genuine or if they have figured out the rules and regulations of the church? How can you tell if they have just obtained the ability to fool most religious people around them? I will tell you one thing for sure. They have not fooled God. Not by any stretch of the imagination.

And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.” Matthew 24:4-5

Do not trust those who seem to be high and mighty in the church. Do not trust those who rely on their names, titles, positions, and places of prominence in the church. So many live in falsehood, pretension, and lies, claiming one thing and practicing another. 

“And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:10-13

Yes, some are true, but they will not puff themselves up but be the servants of all. It is quite easy to tell who is of the Lord and who is not. You will know them by their fruit. You will see through their disguise when you rely on the Spirit of the Lord to guide you and when you watch the fruit that they bear.

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles?

So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:15-20

It is in how they act, how they speak, and how they treat one another. If they do not reflect the character of Jesus Christ, they are false. If they were indeed Christians, they would follow and obey the commandments of the Lord. They would treat people with love and compassion, sacrificing themselves for the sake of others, just as Jesus sacrificed Himself for the people.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; against such things, there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Jesus said, I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in Him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me, you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. John 15:5-6

They are false Christians, believers, teachers, and prophets. Stop calling all those who claim to be of the Lord Jesus Christ Christians. They are not. If you do not walk like a duck, quack like a duck, swim and fly like a duck, or look like a duck you are not a duck. The same goes for this example of a Christian.

“Open your eyes to see and ears to hear,” says the Lord! 

Many souls are in danger of being lost forever in eternal torment. How important does this understanding make the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who are deceived and lost? They think that they are saved, not knowing that they themselves are in great danger. How very urgent the truth of the Gospel is to those who will perish if they do not turn, repent of their sins, follow, and obey the Lord. God is still holding out His hands to them. Giving them more grace and time to repent.

Yes, time for you to repent. Is this you? Examine your heart today to see if it is producing good or evil. Turn from your wicked ways today and repent, crying out to Jesus, who can change your heart and save you from Hell. For He loves you and does not want to have to tell you, “depart from me you worker of lawlessness.”

“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