5:39 You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness to me; The very important next verse reads: "Yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life."
These two verses clearly show that it is possible to have great Bible knowledge and to think that you have eternal life and yet be deceived. We can think we are saved when we are not. That is a very dangerous deception.
Here's why. If you think you have something you don't seek it. Example. If someone gives you tickets to this season's Super Bowl, are you going to desperately search for tickets? Of course not. You believe that you already have the tickets you need. Now what if you show up at the stadium for the Super Bowl and the ticket taker says: "Sorry but these are not tickets."
You argue: "Yes they are. They look like tickets. They say they are tickets. I believe they are tickets. Let me in." However, your arguments will mean nothing if you show up with fake tickets.
The same with salvation. If we show up after death with fake salvation, it won't take us to Heaven.
So it is very dangerous to think that we are saved if we are not really. We must be absolutely certain that we are not like the people in these two verses. Our eternity depends upon it.
What can we do? Don't stop seeking God. Don't become too sure or cocky about your salvation. Stay hungry. Salvation isn't once and done. It is an ongoing process. Don't falsely think your are home free. True salvation makes us continually hungry for more of God. It puts a lifelong fire and passion for God into our heart.
If your heart isn't passionately burning with love for God and if you are not doing all that you can every day to follow and obey Jesus, your salvation may be counterfit. We must all beware. |
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