Claim Blame

Do you claim Christ?

As we draw down on the closing chapters of the book Claiming Christ, we fall upon a recounting of several dozen references about what God thinks about those who make dramatic claims of faith but lack the confirming presence of Jesus.

If you claim to be Christian, does Christ agree? His word has a lot to say about it, for those with ears and a willing spirit to listen. Many claim, but they are to blame, so saith the Lord.

Some claim to have fellowship with him…

Some claim to believe in him…

Some claim to know God…

Some claim to be able to see…

Others claim to be free of sin…

Others claim to have faith…

Others claim to have irrefutable proof of the Holy Spirit working through them…

Some claim to be wise…

And many claim Lord, Lord…

However, in passage after passage, the word of God declares,

But by their actions, they deny him…

But whatever you did not do for the least of these, you did not do for me…

But they have become fools…

But they remain blind…

But without works it is dead…

But they are liars…

But there is no truth in them…

But I never knew you, depart you who do wicked.

The reasons are worth looking into, at least for those willing to acknowledge their own human tendency. It is a humbling thing to respond as the apostles did, “could it be me?”, when Jesus declared that from among his own chosen followers, a betrayer would develop.

The book Claiming Christ was written to assist toward this end, but all this book does is repackage what can be found within the Bible itself. If you can hear it from holy script, then you don’t need further assistance. The challenge, however, is that many have read significant sections of God’s holy word, and yet remain unable to hear the cautions contained within it. As Paul taught, “how can they hear, if someone doesn’t teach them?”

So I guess it comes down to, are you teachable to what comes from Scripture? How does your claim of Christ line up with his own words about such claims? Could the above references apply to you, or are you beyond such problems?

“He who thinks he stand, had best take heed lest he fall”. As the Lord, elsewhere states, “I have given them time to repent, but they were unwilling”.

Could your claim, be open to blame? Consider carefully how you intend to respond. You are on candid camera, but this is no joke.