The acid test of our faith (III)

Peter did not write to all and sundry; he wrote to Christians. That is why it is important to define who a Christian is. 1Peter 1: 1 – 2 says,

1 Peter 1:1-2  Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

So, those who the discussion on acid test of Christian faith shall benefit primarily are those who are sure of their place in the kingdom of God. They shall be those who have been sanctified by the Spirit of God; those who are committed to a life of obedience to the Word and the Spirit of God. Are you one of them?

Only people in this category have any hope in Christ. Only people in this category have any inheritance in heaven. And don’t forget; Paul told us that:

1 Corinthians 15:19  If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

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Many of those we see in church today have no interest whatsoever in eternal life. They are only in church for earthly benefits. They are in church to get connections. They are in church for money. They are in church to get a godly wife. They are in church for all kinds of reasons, including so that the church can bury them when they die. But that is where it ends; they have no consciousness of eternity. And if you lack the consciousness of eternity, you are simply not a Christian. Our Lord Jesus Christ said to Pilate:

John 18:36  …My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

It is this lack of respect for things eternal that make it difficult for many to stand for Christ. People live as if it all ends here. I assure you it does not end here. There is heaven, and there is hell. Heaven is real, and hell is real.

So I ask you once again, before we go ahead to reflect on the acid test of faith, do you even have any faith at all? Do you believe in Christ at all, or are you merely a church goer?

Today presents another opportunity for you to look at your life. You can lie to people, or people can lie to you; but you should not lie to yourself. The worst form of deceit is self-deceit. Don’t deceive yourself. The Word of God says,

2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Are you actually a Christian?

TO BE CONTINUED