Salvation
Maxwell
Christ means having held up their hand, at an alter call once in their
life. Or they parroted the "Sinner's Prayer", having forgotten it
almost as soon as they repeated the litany.
Others still, mistakenly think and even teach others that being able
to repeat the second half of 1 Corinthians 12:3, is *the* litmus test
of salvation in Jesus Christ.
These few will claim that only someone who has been saved can say
"Jesus is Lord". They'll claim that if an unsaved person tries to say
these words, they will be psychically incapable of doing so.
And that's supposedly how you can tell if someone is an actual
Christian. You know, like "what's the password?"
Forget what all the requirements that are set forth in 1 John, for
knowing you or someone else is saved. Supposedly as long as the words
"Jesus is Lord" can be mouthed, that's all that is needed.
There are people who are headed for Hell based on these
misconceptions, these false assurances.
If you've been around enough Christian gatherings over a period of
decades,
you'll hear people who are clearly unsaved say "Jesus is Lord" along
with any and all other Bible verses and Christian vernacular, to
convince others (and perhaps themselves) of their sincerity. These are
the "wolves in sheep's clothing". The false disciples, teachers,
preachers and prophets.
Wouldn't it be nice if one could so easily pull these weeds out, with
the simple supposed "can you say 'Jesus is Lord'?" litmus tests /
password? But of course charlatans can insincerely parrot those words.
No, they're not going choke or gag, nor are their tongues going to
catch on fire etc. It's not that simple, cut and dry.
Here's a brief excerpt from The Narrow Path radio show (http://
www.thenarrowpath.com), where people ask questions about Christianity
and the Bible, dealing with this very subject:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8vK2CHWN5w
Saying something, even "Jesus is Lord", without it having personal
meaning in your heart is meaningless.
Meaning that no one can *sincerely* confess Jesus is Lord of their
heart, except with the help of the Holy Spirit.
"For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it
is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are" (Romans 10:10)
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart" (Mark 12:30 - Deut. 6:5)
"And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy
Spirit" (Acts 15:8)
"And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured
out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit" (Romans 5:5)
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8)
"For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart" (Matthew
12:34)