I want to invite you out to one of my evening services starting this Sunday at 3 p.m.
As I stated before, this would be a long one because there is an undercurrent that is so relevant here in this city. There is a vast group of folks that swear up and down that they are saved Christians and know the Lord. The reality is while you may know of Him, but you don’t REALLY Know Him, and more importantly, He doesn’t KNOW YOU.
This has allowed the spirit of delusion and deception to enter into the pulpits across South St. Pete and even the unchurched and so-called Christian uses this as their excuse for not attending church on a regular basis. They are unaware of the fact that as long as you decide not to be covered under the spirit of the Real Jesus that they have fallen victim to whatever Satan chooses to use because you can’t possibly think or believe that God is ok with you not fellowshipping with like-minded saints. They are sacrificing and believing God will separate the wheat from the tare and as long as you have the Holy Spirit and not a feeling that you have it, you are and will be protected from falsehoods preached across the pulpits.
I always tell everyone under the sound of my preaching and teaching to go and research what I teach or preach them for themselves. Trust but VERIFY! This is how you grow in the Word and it becomes apart of who you are. It’s one thing to receive the Word and even chew on and meditate on the Word, as a matter of fact Satan is cool with that. The one thing Satan doesn’t want you doing is swallowing the Word because it then becomes a part of your spiritual makeup and will come out through your members.
PART 2 – The one way
(BY GOD’S WORD AND GOD’S SPIRIT)
TO DISCERN WHO IS SAVED AND WHO IS NOT
Again, in view of these Scriptures, how can we possibly discern some of these? How can we tell they are not saved, when even the Bible shows it is nearly impossible to discern some of them? Even some of these unsaved people’s fruits appear to be good from man’s perspective—but God knows their heart.
There is just one key thing that clearly reveals that they are not walking with God. This one key thing is, they would not receive correction from God’s Word, as a little child, AND REPENT. This is the one way that a person which has a good knowledge of the Scriptures, by God’s mercy and God’s Spirit, can discern who is saved and who is not.
We may be able to tell that some people (who appear to be righteous) are not saved, because they are not walking by faith. They make excuses, when the journey gets difficult. This may be a determining factor in recognizing some but not others.
We can recognize those that appear to be righteous, but are not saved, by their fruits. Jesus said, “WHEREFORE BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHALL KNOW THEM”-Mt 7:20. Their fruits can include both their attitude and their works. However, in this Laodicean church age, there are few spiritual Christians, who by reason of use, have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil (ref Heb 5:14).
We can tell that some people who appear to be righteous are not saved, by their lack of thirst or hunger for God’s Word. If a person is not hungry for the milk of God’s Word that he may grow, then something is wrong. However, many unsaved also hunger to study God’s Word, yet they are not saved, such as the scribes and Pharisees. Remember, John the Baptist’s words, THE FRIEND OF THE BRIDEGROOM (Jesus), WHICH STANDETH AND HEARETH HIM, REJOICETH GREATLY BECAUSE OF THE BRIDEGROOM’S VOICE (or the voice and words of Jesus)?-Jn 3 A friend of Jesus should rejoice, as the words of God come forth. A friend of Jesus should greatly crave God’s Word, so he can grow. He should want to study and meditate in God’s Word. God’s Word should excite him and bring him joy. A lack of enthusiasm to learn more of Jesus is a very bad indication, as we can see from God’s Word.
We can tell that some people who appear to be righteous are not saved, because of their lack of hunger and thirst for righteousness. Again, this applies to some, but not to all.
Many wrongly believe they are saved, because of emotions, false teachings, being told they are saved by the blind or lukewarm; because of traditions; because they go to a certain church; or many other reasons. It is God’s Word that will judge us.
Again, the one key thing that can reveal a person is not walking with God is, they will not receive correction from God’s Word, as a little child, and repent. They may disagree with the correction, or make excuses, or believe it is wrong; even when it is clearly right. They may justify themselves. They may be sure they are right and the correction does not fit their situation. They might say, “You do not understand my situation.” This is a much used saying among deceived people, which Satan puts in their thoughts. The darkness they are in makes it difficult (perhaps, impossible) for them to see the truth. They may say, over and over, they want correction; however, when correction comes in a certain area, they cannot receive it as truth and repent.
They may pray. They may preach the Gospel. They may show much love. They may help the poor. They may praise and worship God. They may sing to God. They may do many great miracles in the name of Jesus. They may fast and give tithes and offerings. They may cast out devils. They may do everything in this huge list of Scriptures, but they will still perish.
The one thing (or common denominator) among all who perish is, they would not humble themselves and receive correction from Jesus as He gave them the Word.
They would not (or could not) humble themselves, as a little child before their Father and repent of certain things.
There is a great spirit of separation and egoism that has plagued South St. Pete churches and I will uncover this spirit in the coming weeks.
Till next week,
God Bless.
Rev. Dr. Robert L. Harrison, PhD – pastorrobharrison@gmail.com, @drrobharrison
The Apostolic Open Door Church of God & True Holiness – 2800 41st Ave. N, St. Pete
First Vice President – NAACP St. Petersburg Branch
Chaplain – Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Pinellas
Parent Support for Education Council Board Member | Chaplain – Dept. Juvenile Justice for Circuit 6
