Genuine Christianity

- These are my notes from Myk's post entitled "This changes everything," which contains an hour-long video of Paul David Washer's preaching in a youth conference.

Text: Matthew 7:13-29

How will I know that I am a Genuine Christian?

Below are questions that allowed me to assess myself.

1. Am I walking on a narrow road?
Matthew 7:13-14. "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

- There is only ONE GATE, ONE ROAD, ONE GOD, ONE MEDIATOR-JESUS CHRIST. Walk in the way of righteousness like Jesus and if I step out of that path, God will discipline me and bring me back to that path again. If I profess to be a Christian but live like the people in the world, the Bible tells that I should be terribly afraid! Jesus says that there is not only a narrow gate but also a narrow road.

Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." The issue here is not that I have sinned but the point is I've never done anything but sin! Even my great works are filty rugs before God. Apart from the grace of God revealed in Jesus Christ, the only thing left for me is the wrath and fierce anger of God because of sin.

We say, "No, God can't hate me because God is love" but God must actually hate us because He is love. IF WE LOVE WHAT IS HOLY THEN WE MUST HATE WHAT IS UNHOLY. But the sad truth is more of the things we love, God hates. Most of our 'christianity' is based only on songs, culture but not on the Bible!

"Examine ourselves in the light of the Scripture. Compare ourselves not to other Christians nor to those who say they are Christians but compare ourselves to the Bible!"

People say that the cross is the sign of how much a man is worth, that's not true! The cross is the sign of how much depraved a man is that it took the death of Christ to save him!

2. Am I bearing good fruit?
Matthew 7:15-16a. "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them."

Look at your life, look at how you talk, how you think, how you dress, your passion, etc. IS JESUS THERE? or do you look like the world, act like the world? or do you love sin and relish it?
How do you know that you are saved? because you prayed the sinner's prayer? because your parents told you? because you believe? how can say that you believe? You know you are saved because you are in a process of being changed and you are in a narrow way!

Why are there people who say they encounter Jesus but their lives aren't changed?
Remember:

"If you got something from the Lord genuinely, it will last!"

3. Am I doing the will of the Father?
Matthew 7:21. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."

This is not plainly about works but the evidence of faith, a style of life that pleases the Father.

Mattthew 7:22 and 23 say, "Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" We, most of the time, say, "The most important thing in the world is to know Jesus Christ," that's wrong! The most important thing is that God knows you."Does Jesus know you?

4. Am I applying what God teaches me?
Matthew 7:24-27. The story of the wise and foolish builders.

The point of the story in this context is not about strong or weak foundation. It's about those who hear the Word of God and apply it to their everyday life and those who hear the Word and do nothing about it.

It is important to put everything - the decisions you will make, your finances, the way you talk, the way you dress and so on, in subjection to Jesus by looking at what He says in His Word.

- Thanks to Myk for sharing the video...it rebuked me and challenged me to live genuinely as His servant.

We are set apart by God then, act as one!