Being Ready

I recently saw a poll which stated 76.5% of Americans (159 million) identify themselves as Christian. That is down from 86.2% in 1990. Does our daily actions, words and choices reflect a heart that is surrendered to Jesus?

Jesus said in Matthew 7:21, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter." Jesus is saying that calling Him "Lord" isn't enough. Just because we have joined the church and sit in church every Sunday does not mean we possess the kingdom of heaven. Or as the old saying goes, sitting in a church does not make you a Christian any more than sitting in a garage makes you a car!

Unfortunately, this is what many believe. They believe that because they go to church and go through the motions and the rituals, they must be children of God. They believe that because they've been baptized or confirmed or because they take communion (or what we Baptists refer to as 'The Lord's Supper'), they'll go to heaven when they die. They believe that because they "prayed the prayer," they will have eternal life regardless of the way they live.

But that isn't what Jesus says. He tells us that it's not those who say "Lord, Lord" but those who habitually--not perfectly, but habitually, as a lifestyle--do the will of the Father who will enter His kingdom.

Salvation is a marvelous gift, a gift that not only brings us the hope of heaven to come but the strength to do His will here on earth. Let us "nail it down" while we can!