“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).

“And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:23).

We face a double dilemma. First of all, the Bible declares the way to life as a narrow way which comparatively few people will find. The broad way to destruction, after all, promises easy travel and lots of company. A recent issue of Time Magazine featured several “Christian” leaders who promote a health and wealth gospel. If the shiny Rolls Royce on the cover of the magazine is part of the package, then obviously the wealth promotion is not about the narrow way to life. And that exactly is the second dilemma. There will be many (according to Jesus’ teachings) who profess to know God. They are merely deceived. They are not partakers of the Spirit of Christ. They do not know Jesus Christ, and Jesus does not know them.

We have had enough rich and powerful evangelical leaders who fell. What do we expect from their followers? After all, people who indulge in all that money can buy will not be satisfied with what money can buy. Wrong moral choices will follow naturally enough.

Do you love God and keep His commandments? The valid answer to that question would determine your eternal destiny if you faced the judgment of God this very hour. Such a moment will indeed arrive. The burning question in that moment is not a profession of Christianity. It is not a claim to various good works. The only question is whether God knows you as one of His own.

The understanding of a valid assurance of salvation is further described in a quick survey of the Book of First John. Consider these verses: “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth” (1:6). “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments” (2:3).

In modern evangelism, too often the point of being “saved” or being “born again,” focuses solely on a particular time or place of “trusting” Jesus Christ as Saviour. Too often there is little understanding of the holiness of God and the contrasting sin-fulness of sin. Little is expected, and little happens out of such decisions. The evidence is already in. We see little contrast in the sinful lives of the “saved” versus the sinful lives of unbelievers. But along with this easy gospel, many church leaders then promote the false notion that such a decision unconditionally seals one’s personal destiny in heaven forever.

I have discussed Christian faith at length with a number of people who live immoral and even criminal lives. These believe they are Christians because of a “decision” once made for Christ. This assumption apparently offers the forgiveness of sin without concern for deliverance and cleansing from sin.

While we rightly reject the false notion that we work our way into God’s kingdom by doing good deeds, or by obedience to a list of rules, we are wrong if we assert that saving faith does not dictate surrender to God and a radical change of life.

Let me illustrate it this way. We have comfortable facilities for guests. But what would be your response if you came and ate from our table and yet received no nourishment? You came to us hungry. Yet what looked like good nutritious food would merely bring you to starvation over time.

Our guest quarters include a private bath. You came to us from a long journey. You need a shower, and you need it badly. But suppose you indulge in a luxurious shower only to find that our shampoo, soap, and water did nothing toward your cleansing. You are also travel-weary. The bed looks very inviting. Your only hesitation is in your concern for contaminating those clean sheets. But guess what? The comfortable-looking bed yields no rest whatsoever. You think the night will never end.

The next morning you face the world: hungry, dirty, and tired. Could you convince yourself that it really was a very positive experience?

Do we, in our churches talk about being fed with the Bread of life, yet find no nourishment in the Scriptures? Do we sing of being washed in the blood of the Lamb, yet remain in the filth of our sins? Do we claim that those who labor and are heavy-laden may come to Jesus for rest, while living in guilt, frustration, and bondage to evil habits?

Make no mistake. If people will eat at our table, they will be nourished. If they use our shampoo, soap and water, they will be cleansed. If they sleep in our guest bed, they will be refreshed.

Now they don’t become our guests by bringing in groceries, or by digging a well in our backyard, or by placing their sleeping bags beside our guest bed. (This would be parallel to salvation by works.)

To take full advantage of our facilities is the only logical way for a guest to behave. In fact, we wouldn’t give you a choice. You can’t bring your own hospitality. It’s on the house. If you don’t want or need what we have, that is up to you. You can go elsewhere. We wouldn’t want you misrepresenting our hospitality.

Why am I saying this? Because a lot of people who name the name of Christ are bringing reproach on the very One who could nourish them, cleanse them, and give them rest. They seem not to understand that in receiving the “hospitality” of Christ, the very character and work of Christ is manifest in them. No, you don’t bring your own good works to Christ. What you do is abide in Him, and He produces His fruit through you.

This is the very basis of God’s judgment. “If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned” (John 15:6).

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may’ receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).

When we claim that God is forever obligated to provide heaven for every “decision” for Christ, we have it backward. It is we who face the obligation of abiding in the fruit-bearing freedom of being His guests.

-by Lester Troyer