This kind of problem is not new in our time. These situations have existed even during the days of the early churches. To address these issues, Jesus said that not all who profess faith in Him; claim themselves Christians are genuine.
Matt 7:21-23
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. 22 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?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' NIV
What tragedy this is!
According to the bible, if we want to know if we truly are in the faith; if we truly are saved; if we truly are Christians, it's not to ask ourselves if we have, once in our lives(or even not just once),
prayed a prayer asking Jesus to come into our hearts and that if we were sincere while praying that. The bible says that we should test ourselves...
2 Cor 13:5
2 Cor 13:5
"5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you-unless, of course, you fail the test?" NIV
Paul addressed this letter to the Christians in Corinth. There were reports to him that there were "Christian brothers" who still continue to live in sin.
Paul addressed this letter to the Christians in Corinth. There were reports to him that there were "Christian brothers" who still continue to live in sin.
There are many things mentioned about the truly saved in the bible. I can just mention some here.
1 John 1:5-7
"5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." NIV
1 John 2:3-6
1 John 2:3-6
"3 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4 The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did." NIV
So, are there really such people as carnal Christians, and Backslide Christians? The scriptures tells us that there are none. You are either a Christian or you're not. You cannot be a Christian and at the same time live in sin. A genuine Christian may at times sin but he will always repent after that and will continue His journey with the Lord with a contrite heart.
It doesn't really matter if you know the Lord. Even satan knows the Lord. But does the Lord know you?
Matt 7:21 & 23
"21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven,.. ' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' NIV
If I will go to Malacanang Palace and say to the guards, "I know President Gloria Arroyo, so, let me in." Do you think they will let me in? Of course not. Everyone in the Philippines and even people overseas know her. But if she will say, "I know Rj Trinidad, let him in." They will surely let me in. They will even treat me well beacause of this.
It's the same with our faith.
