The fact that one "thinks" that he is a Christian does not prove that he is a Christian. Only God, through his word, the New Testament, has the authority to set out the specific conditions by means of which one can become a Christian. By the same means, one can know how to remain faithful as a Christian. Countless millions who claim to be Christians have no idea as to what the scriptures say about becoming and being a Christian.
"Not every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth (my emp. DHN) the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name cast out demons? And in thy name done many mighty works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matt. 7:21-23).
Here, the Lord refers to the final judgment. He shows that there will be judgment day surprises. He talks about people who, in this life were honest, sincere and religious: people who truly thought that they were doing the Lord's will. But, in reality, were people whom the Lord never knew. In fact, in spite of their honesty, their sincerity, their being religious, their thinking they were working for the Lord. They were workers of iniquity.
Man can understand that he must obey the laws of the land. But, when it comes to religion, just believe what one thinks is right and that will be fine with God.
In Acts 19:1-5, we read where Paul returned to Ephesus, and found "certain disciples." These were "disciples" in the sense that they were learners, but they had learned error. Paul asked: "Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, we have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto What then were ye baptized? And they said unto John's baptism." Paul explained John's baptism: "John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. And when they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus."
Here we have twelve men who were baptized unto John's baptism, after John's baptism had ceased. That is, they were baptized unto John's baptism after Pentecost of Acts 2. John's baptism was for "the remission of sins" (Mark 1:4). These people thought they were being baptized "for the remission of sins." But, they had not received the remission of sins because they had not been baptized scripturally. The fact that they thought they were baptized for "the remission of sins" did not make it so. However, when they learned the truth, they were "baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus."
The Lord said: "And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). Truth makes one free, not what one thinks is right. The Lord also said: "If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from myself" (John 7:17 ASV). One's salvation is predicated upon his love for the truth. God will allow those who do not love the truth to "believe a lie," and "be damned" (II Thess. 2:11-12).
It is not the case that one can be a Christian simply by thinking that he is a Christian.
"If any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God" (I Pet.4:11).
Don H. Noblin
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