Verify Podcast

Merry Christmas, my dear listeners! I hope you have a really blessed celebration today. Amidst the activity of this period, the season is a good time to reflect on what Christ’s presence in our lives, truly means to us as individuals.

Several weeks ago in episode 4, I mentioned that there was one time I heard a preacher say that if a professing Christian is committing fornication at the moment Christ returns, the person would go straight to heaven. His basis was that everyone who professes to be saved, would always be saved, no matter what. By inference, this would mean that if one prayed the sinner’s prayer and soon after, became an unrepentant serial killer till their dying day, they would go to heaven. Since we all make mistakes in one way or the other as human beings, this narrative would be extremely convenient to believe, except that it is not at all consistent with scripture!

Many professing Christians today, boast about their lusts and deviations, while declaring that they are secure in Christ, no matter what; most likely because of teachings like the one I heard that day, but can we really do life on our own terms and expect to be saved on the last day?

The bible lets us know that it is possible for a professing Christian to wander away from the truth (James 5:19), to go astray and follow satan (1 Tim 5:15), to deny God by one’s way of life (Titus 1:16) and even to be denied access to heaven, in spite of having spiritual gifts (Mat 7:21-23).

In fact, a close look at Matthew 7, tells us that on the last day, there will be many who profess to be Christians, with whom Christ will have absolutely no relationship!

Now you may be asking, what hope is there, therefore, for even the true Christian, since in the frailties of our mortal bodies, we all have faults? Well, true Christians need not fear because we have an advocate who pleads our case when we make mistakes (1 John2:1), and God promises to keep those that are His, right to the end (1 Cor 1:8), as it is only the one who endures to the end, that will be saved (Matthew 24:13).

But how can we know we are His? In John 10:27-28, Jesus promises His sheep eternal life and assures that no one can snatch them from his hands, but He lets us know that His sheep are those who listen to His voice and follow Him. Today, take some time to examine yourself (2 Cor 13:5). Are you listening to His voice? Are you following Him? Or are you living life on your own terms?

See the progression in 1st John 2:24-25. It says to remain faithful, and by so doing, you will remain in fellowship, and it is in this fellowship u will enjoy eternal life. Does this mean we are saved by our own power? Certainly not! for it is still ultimately by God’s power that we are kept from falling (Jude 1:24).

As we celebrate the birth of Christ today, my prayer is that we will, as the bible instructs, examine ourselves to ensure we are in the faith. May we remain in fellowship with Him, and may we never find someday, that He never really knew us all along. I pray this in Jesus name, Amen.