"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 I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness.'" (Matthew 7:22-23)

This chilling epithet should strike fear in the hearts of those who claim to be followers of Christ, but deny the reality of His salvation by their ungodly lives. In our shallow 'seeker-driven' culture, few are called to "examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith" (2 Corinthians 13:5). But we do a great disservice to false converts by allowing them to believe they are regenerated when they are not.

I met such a man last Friday evening at City Place. He and his friend had passed by a short time before, obviously enjoying the evening. On their return, however, one of the men stopped a few feet away to listen. I started talking to him and it was clear he was an unbeliever. We engaged in a short exchange, and then his friend approached me.

"You'll never persuade this guy to become a Christian," he said. I could smell the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage (or several) on his breath.

"How do you know that?" I asked him.

"I've been telling him about Jesus for years!" he exclaimed. "I told him he needs to come to Jesus and get saved." At this time, he was pawing his pockets for a cigarette. One pack, then a second, fell from his pants pocket.

"Are you a Christian?" I said, somewhat taken aback.

He stared at me for a moment, trying to focus on my face. "Of course I am," he said, apparently put out that I would have to ask.

This man's name was Greg; his unbelieving friend was Michael. Greg tried to explain that he had been 'witnessing' to Michael for many years, then claimed that he himself had 'received Jesus' as a five year old boy, then again at 13, and again at 20. (You really can't make this stuff up.) He believed that he was 'saved' by his professions of faith, and felt certain he was destined for eternal life and heaven, because he had "trusted in Jesus" who "forgave me of my sins."

Do you think this is an unusual circumstance, that an intoxicated chain smoker would believe that his youthful professions of faith were sufficient to warrant eternal life? I assure you, this is not uncommon at all, but rather quite the ordinary exchange with so-called 'Christians' in our culture. The name for this type of aberrant belief is antinomianism.

According to GotQuestions.org, "Antinomianism means 'against the law.' Theologically, antinomianism is the belief that there are no moral laws God expects Christians to obey." In other words, Greg believed that his mere profession of 'faith in Jesus' was all that was necessary; he could go on about his life as if nothing had changed and be assured of heaven because of his profession. And truly, for this so-called believer, and millions more like him, nothing had changed! Despite his false assurance, Greg was no more a Christian than a giraffe.

Let me clarify one point: as the great apostle has written, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). Genuine salvation is not by merit or works; we cannot save ourselves by what we do. This is stressed throughout Romans 4 by Paul, and throughout the letter to the Galatians.

Yet, the new birth is not without evidences! According to JC Ryle, "Genuine sanctification is a thing that can be seen." As Peter writes, "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence" (2 Peter 1:3). And from the writer of Hebrews, "I will put My laws into their minds and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God and they shall be My people" (Hebrews 8:10b).

I asked Greg if it was possible that Michael remained an unbeliever because there was clearly no difference in Greg's life or behavior that resulted from his professed faith. He became quite defensive, and asked if he couldn't have 'an occasional beer' just because he was a 'Christian.' He then admitted to having had several this evening, and in fact, admitted that he had "more than a few beers" quite often!

When I pointed out to him the hypocrisy of his claim to Christ, and how his own poor witness was probably one reason Michael used to continue in his own unbelief, Greg took issue with me and criticized me for judging him! So I asked Michael if he thought Greg was a hypocrite. Obviously enjoying the exchange between his 'friend' and me, Michael assured us both that he thought Greg was a hypocrite.

By this time, the seriousness of the conversation was sobering Greg, and as I read to him from the Scriptures that the new life would always be evidenced by a growing love for the things of God and a growing hatred for the things of this world, he became less defensive and more responsive.

"But why can't I have a few drinks now and then?" he pleaded.

"The question isn't why you can't have a few drinks, Greg, but why would you want to?" I replied. "The Scriptures admonish us not to be drunk with wine but to be filled with the Spirit. A genuine disciple of Christ is called to not love the things of the world. If we still love the things of the world, "then the love of the Father is not in us" (1 John 2:15). During this exchange, people were passing by, some listening. Michael himself had become quieter and appeared to be listening intently.

After some more conversation, Greg and Michael departed together, but only after Greg assured me that he would go home and ponder the things we had discussed. I gave him a gospel tract called "Professing Christians Warned" from Chapel Library (www.chapellibrary.org)  and urged him to examine himself closely, and to read his Bible carefully; that he did not want to face Christ as the returning Judge, and be found as a "worker of lawlessness."

I pray that Greg and many others will be challenged by genuine Christians, who in turn will be challenged to examine themselves to see that they are in the faith. One of the great hindrances to evangelism, and to revival, is the false convert who believes he is right with God, yet simultaneously believes that his mere profession marks him as a true believer. All Greg's unbelieving friends watch him closely, and his hypocrisy becomes a greater witness than his mere profession.

May all of us ponder our witness with gravity and severity, and rejoice in the great salvation which was given us by the grace of God, and not by our works. Yet let all of us "work out our salvation in fear and trembling, for it is God who works in us to will and to work for His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:12-13).

 Soli Deo Gloria! No king but Christ.

 Coming outreaches

Our weekly outreaches to City Place continue, usually on Friday evenings. The foot traffic has been excellent, and we routinely have good gospel-centered conversations with unbelievers of all ages, and encouragement from believers.

 The Green Market has closed for the summer season, so I have returned to the Juno Beach Pier on Saturday afternoons, when time permits. Please pray that the gospel would go forth unhindered, and that many young people would be engaged with God's word. Please pray also for boldness for me; this location has been extremely challenging on occasion, as many young people (often claiming to be members of  Christian "youth groups" ) revile and mock the gospel. Pray for satanic blindness to be lifted and eyes opened to the power of the living God!

 Pray for the hundreds of people who heard the gospel during our annual "Fourth on Flagler" outreach on Clematis Street a few weeks ago. 

 Thank you again for your prayers, your encouragement, your financial support and your kindness in reading these "messages from the front lines." Your loving partnership with us in the gospel allows us to make Christ known locally and afar. I pray for you daily, and praise God for His faithfulness in raising up faithful partners who share the vision of bringing the good news of salvation to the crowds that are "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Together, we will rejoice on that great day when the LORD calls forth His people, that great harvest of souls that were brought to Christ through our mutual labors in His power.

 

Soli Deo Gloria!