[In explaining his imprisonment, the Apostle] Paul subtly notifies his readers that proclaiming the mystery of Christ crucified is more likely to open the door to a prison cell for them instead of the door to financial and social success.
David Garland

A Church Member But Lost

A Church Member But Lost

A Church Member but LOST

by Donald MacDonald

“Not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 7:21).

Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27).

Many will rail and cry in that day when they hear the all righteous Judge say, “I never knew you: depart from Me” (Matthew 7:23).

What a tragedy! Your cry may be, “What did my church do for me? Where are the pastors I sat under? I assumed they were the true messengers of God. They didn’t say, “Ye must be born again.” They merely asked me to join the church. They never mentioned the need of salvation, but always stressed church membership. Now I am told, “Go into outer darkness, I never knew you.” Yes, going to hell, though a church member.”

Your experience can be the same as thousands of others who trusted in church membership, but who at one time or another realized that Christ, not the church, went to the cross, suffered and died for them, and realizing that, they said, “Lord, be merciful to me a sinner, and save me for Jesus’ sake.”

There is a false belief among those who have never accepted Christ that death is the greatest tragedy. This, of course, is NOT true. The greatest tragedy will be witnessed at the Great White Throne Judgment, when those whose names are not found in the Book of Life with the redeemed are cast into hell’s fire forever.

“It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).

Physical death is bad, but spiritual death means punishment through eternity.

“All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Yes! Even church members.

“For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Yes! But John 3:16 says: “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Romans 10:9, 10 also says: “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

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