Are there people today who call themselves Christians and who think they’re going to heaven that will be terribly disappointed to discover that they’ve been left behind? Rejected by the Lord? Cast into an eternal and unquenchable fire? My answer depends on what we consider a true vs. false Christian.

A person who is truly saved by the Lord will in fact bear fruit in keeping with repentance. Because of the love and grace of Jesus Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit, a born-again Christian will want to turn from their sin and prior assumptions about life and begin to abide in Christ and bear fruit as a result.

The false Christian or cultural Christian, on the other hand, rejoices in Jesus as their Savior, but shuns the possibility of Jesus as their Lord. They delight in the free ticket to heaven but object to having to change their lifestyle. They believe that salvation results in agreeing to a certain set of biblical principles instead of taking up their cross daily in obedience to their Master. And according to them, a fruitful life can mean anything arising from the gospel of entitlement, the American Dream or the expectations of the family.

Why do I believe that the eternal future of these pseudo Christians is in dire straits? Because the only criteria that matters is whether or not we bore fruit in keeping with repentance. According to John the Baptist, only good fruit is acceptable to the Father, everything else is chaff.

Last Sunday I spoke about various ministries that might be considered good fruit that honors our heavenly Father (i.e. loving others, sharing our faith, being generous and hospitable, etc.). Let me clarify some things that are not considered bearing fruit: Attending a Bible study, going to Harvesters or glo, being a part of a marriage group or coming to church. All of these are good, important and wonderful ministries that feed us and nourish us with God’s Word, but these are fertilizing ministries intended to equip us in order to bear fruit at our workplace, school campus and home. Let’s not make the mistake that as long as we come to church and even attend a Bible study that we are avoiding the flames of hell. The only way to do this is to bear Kingdom fruit that honors the Father.

I don’t want to beat a dead horse, but I say these things because I don’t want you and I to end up in Hell – simple as that. On a positive note, I desire that we share in the joy and call to bear fruit – to fulfill the Great Commandment (love God and love one another) and to accomplish the Great Commission (make disciples of all nations). This is a life well lived, a testimony that is honorable, and a harvest that our Lord Jesus is intending to produce through our lives.

Grace to you,

Pastor Jan