2 Kinds of Christians

Richard Wurmbrand suffered for his faith in an inhumane Soviet prison. From his experiences, he concluded that there are two kinds of Christians: “those who sincerely believe in God and those who, just as sincerely, believe that they believe. You can tell them apart by their actions in decisive moments.” 

We face daily decisive moments: forgiving an unkind neighbor, being honest in the little things, dealing kindly with difficult people, humbly confessing our sins...taking God's commands seriously (John 14:23).

These decisive moments prepare us for the increasing hostility of our culture.  

For example, when God's biblical design for male and female is challenged and despised, will we stand with God? Will we stand even if friends and family members slander and despise us? Will we stand when people label us "hateful"? Will we stand if it affects our career or other personal goals?

Only those who sincerely believe will stand. Those who “believe they believe” will fall.

Let's not let those who are falling pull us down with them.

Source of quote: Richard Wurmbrand, In God’s Underground (Bartlesville, OK: Living Sacrifice, 2004), loc 661, Kindle.

 

💙Beyond 1-minute for those who want more: 

Jesus told us about those who “believe they believe”: 

Matthew 7:21-23: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one 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 in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”

These people thought they were saved because they were involved in ministry, but they never loved God enough to obey His commands. Perhaps they harbored bitter hatred toward family or friends. Perhaps they lived sexually immoral lifestyles or spent their lives cheating others financially. They “believed they believed” because they were involved in their churches, but they never genuinely knew the Lord. See 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.

See Why Salvation Requires Repentance, which further explains this passage. 

Jesus also talked about those who are ashamed of His words:

Luke 9:26: "Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels."

Christ's words include all of Scripture, not just the words recorded in the Gospels. See Only Christ's Words?

Bible Love Notes