At one of our men’s prayer breakfasts we were talking about how easy it is for people to say they are a Christian, yet their confession doesn’t match up with their actions. One of the guys said “I think the term ‘Christian,’ has almost become a cliché. People use it even if they’re living a totally ungodly life.” Jesus knows that people will many times play both sides of the fence. They’ll say that they believe, but the actions of their lives don’t match up with what they say they believe. Jesus said this concerning the last days". . . Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:8

God’s Word is clear. If you say you believe, the evidence of what you believe will be seen in your life. The Apostle John said “He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1 John 2:4. Paul conveyed this same idea in Romans 10:9, that believing and confessing go hand in hand. If you believe in your heart, your mouth and actions will all agree. Jesus said this concerning those who believe and obey, "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." John 14:21

Last Sunday I shared about a young gal I met at the doctor’s office. She confessed with her mouth her salvation and at the same time confessed her life of sin. She went on to share how she was going to be baptized that weekend and that her live-in Christian boyfriend was so excited. I asked what her pastor thought about her living with her boyfriend and she said he didn’t have a problem with it either way. I couldn’t believe what I’d heard. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward changed life. It says that the old life is dead and now there’s a new life. Her life was out of order. If she had truly experienced being born again, she would have first repented of her sin and then been baptized.

Just because someone says they are a Christian doesn’t mean that they are following Christ. The word Christian comes from the Greek word, “Christianos” it means “follower of Christ.” So if someone says they’re a Christian, then the life of Jesus will be reflected in the way they live. They won’t just talk the talk, they’ll walk the walk.

I believe we’re living in the last minutes just before Jesus comes back. The Bible tells us that it will be a time of deception, a time of compromise, and a time of delusion. Paul explains to Timothy what the last days will be like, “But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them.” 2 Tim 3:13-14

We are living in a time where the Word of God is being watered down. We must compare the Bible with what someone says. If we don’t, we run the risk of being lead astray. My encouragement for us this week is to be like the people of Berea, who sought out the truth in Scripture. Let’s be people of faith. At Calvary Chapel Savannah, let’s be living examples of Christians whose actions match our confession.

In Jesus’ Name,
Pastor Dan