As easy as it is for us to come to conclusions about what we see in others, it is very difficult to see our own weaknesses, faults and sins. We seldom spend much time looking for them, and when the Lord puts us in situations where we are confronted with our sins, we don't deal with them sincerely. Yet, this is one of the very things for which all scripture has been given (2 Tim. 3:16). The Apostle Paul also taught:
"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates (cast away, rejected, not standing the test, that which does not prove itself as it ought)." 2 Cor. 13:5
What constitutes all that is meant by being "in the faith"? It is not limited to whether we believe. Jesus shocked His hearers, and astonished them by saying:
"Many will say to Me in that day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works?" And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity."
Mt. 7:22-23
Jesus is talking about different works here then those outward works that come from faith or belief. He is talking about inner works that should follow belief in His sayings. According to Jesus, the meaning of being "in the faith" includes the following:
"Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock..." Mt. 7:24
In this teaching, the wise man's house that was built upon the rock (hearing and doing the words of Christ), withstood all things that were thrown against it. Contrarily, the house built on unstable sand by one who is like a foolish man who does not hear and do the words of Christ, suffered not just a fall, but a great fall (v. 25-27). A fool is described in scripture as one who says in his heart, "There is no God" (Ps. 14:1, 53:1). Not hearing and doing the sayings of Jesus is equated with the same spiritual condition of this kind of total unbelief.
Jesus describes again the difference between hearing and believing His words, and doing them:
Strive (endeavor with strenuous zeal, labor fervently, fight) to enter in at the strait (narrow, firm, immovable, to weigh in a balance) gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the Master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door saying, "Lord, Lord, open unto us"; and He shall answer and say unto you, "I know you not whence you are": Then ye shall begin to say, "We have eaten and drunk in Thy presence, and Thou hast taught in our streets." But He shall say, "I tell you, I know you not whence you are; depart from Me all ye workers of iniquity." Lk. 13:24-27
Those above, who sat in His presence, and heard His teachings, and even call Him "Lord", will see the other great doers in faith present in the kingdom of God, but they themselves will be "thrust out". They will feel great torment at this loss (v. 28).
The very Word, which is Jesus, is not just for hearing and believing. Doing His words, incorporating His sayings into the actions of our lives, not only builds our spiritual house on a proper foundation, but keeps that house from destruction and fall. Being vigilant to do His words involves strenuous zeal, and fervent labor. Keeping His sayings shows our belief, for how can we say we believe the words, but meanwhile we do not do them? These very words of truth that He has given us are His Father's words sent to sanctify us, removing us, separating us from the works of the world, even while we are still in the midst of the world (Jn. 17:14-18). These same words and sayings of Jesus, given free course in us, glorify us, deliver us from wicked men, and allow the Lord to establish us, and keep us from evil (2 Thess. 3:1-3).
The Church does not always understand nor teach the demand that the words of Christ require of us for our own spiritual health and survival. The demand not just to believe, but to do the words of Christ is not a legalistic demand, nor a religious demand, but a demand that transforms us, as is necessary (Rom. 12:1-2).
As Jesus spoke to the seven churches in chapters 2 and 3 of the Book of Revelation, He urged most of them to repent because their actions, or lack of actions, no longer conformed to the words of truth that He had delivered to them. He tells them that if they will not repent, they will lose His very presence, and those things that represent His presence, from the midst of them. If they will repent, they will gain a spiritual transformation, and a new identity (His identity), and they will endure through persecutions. He concludes by saying to the churches:
"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." Rev. 3:19-20
While we may find it easier to check others, the sayings of Christ are a mirror held in front of us with the demand to us to check ourselves.
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