Bjcorbin's Blog

Here are ten pieces of New Testament scripture that ought to make us take a hard look at where we’re at in our relationship with the Lord and His people.  These scriptures would seem to challenge many of today’s most popular doctrines, which seem to be aimed at making us feel comfortable about our eternity.

1. The man who says, “I know Him (i.e. Jesus)”, but does not do what he commands is a liar and the truth is not in him (1John 2:4).  Later in this epistle John says, “This is love for God, to obey His commands” (1John 5:3).  While a large majority of Americans describe themselves as “Christians”, how many could claim a working knowledge of what God commands and/or that they are endeavoring to live by those tenets?  James epistle tells us, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says” (James 1:22).  How many of us who are familiar with what God commands would classify ourselves as “Doers” of His word?
2. If anyone says, “I love God”, yet hates his brother, he is a liar (1John 4:20).  In today’s culture we seem to have bought into the notion that families are supposed to be dysfunctional and we’ve largely carried that mindset into the family of God (i.e. the Church).  Based on the scripture, it doesn’t appear as though God accepts that premise.
3. Men will have to give an account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken (Matthew 12:36).  No explanation needed.
4. In the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you (Matthew 7:1-2).  To fully appreciate the impact of this scripture, we must consider how we’ve responded to people who’ve let us down or even hurt us.  While we may feel justified in our feelings, do we want that measure to be applied to us for our trespasses?
5. If you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins (Matthew 6:15).  If our sins are not forgiven, where are we?
6. Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God (James 4:4).  This scripture puts the church in America in serious jeopardy.  Many of our efforts to be relevant to, and to reach, “the world” have resulted in the church becoming worldly.   While we may rationalize that the end justifies the means, from Gods perspective I believe that it is simply looks like compromise.  Statistics for things like divorce and addiction to pornography seem to indicate that the church is becoming largely indistinguishable from the world.  Based on what the scripture says about what our relationship with the world should be, this ought to make us tremble.
7. Faith without works is useless (James 2:20).  I don’t believe that James meant “good works” but instead works of faith.  We can do many “good” things that don’t require any faith at all.  From what this scripture says, it doesn’t appear as though those works will be accounted as righteousness.  The Hebrew writer tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6) and Paul goes a step further when he says that, “everything that does not come from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23).  These scriptures challenge me to question how often I really act in faith and the value of the things that I’m doing that don’t require it.
8. He (i.e. the Father) cuts off every branch in me (i.e. Jesus) that bears no fruit (John 15:2)… such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned (John 15:6).  While many of us claim to be Christian, how many of us would be anxious to present our fruitfulness as the evidence of that?
9. Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?  Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you.  Away from me you evildoers!”  (Matthew 7:21-23).  This scripture is speaking directly to “Believers”, because someone who doesn’t believe wouldn’t be doing things in His name.  This indicates that “many” who believe that their eternity is secure are mistaken.
10. Enter through the narrow gate.  For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life and only a few find it (Matthew 7:13-14).  In today’s atmosphere of tolerance and inclusion, it may be perceived as offensive to point this scripture out, but based on what it says; maybe making everyone feel good about their eternity was never meant to be the mission.

While gathering these scriptures in one place could be viewed as a negative thing, I think that it brings some much needed balance.  Though we are saved by His grace, the scripture reminds us that our access to that grace is “through faith” (Ephesians 2:8).  God was fully aware of the provision of His grace when He inspired the above scriptures.  I believe that we have often tried to use His grace like a stolen credit card, but His grace does not nullify His word.  While God does not require perfection, He does expect sincerity.  We know that He rewards those who “diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6); these scriptures can help us to remain diligent.   God bless.