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Are you one of "them"? Many are unaware that they are in that group...

"They" number in the multiplied millions. "They" have been discovered

by pollsters. And "they" are in GRAVE DANGER. You may have

received this (possibly anonymously) because someone senses

you might be one of "them", and thus in danger. Don't be angry.

LOVE WARNS OF DANGER....

Hear us out!

"THEY" are professing Christians....but not "possessing" Christians. "THEY" are people who SAY they are Christians but are not in possession of God's Spirit within. They have gone through the motions, said the 'sinners prayer' and may have been baptized...they may have been faithful in church, and done other things characteristic of Christians.... BUT....somehow, sometime, it fizzled. It's like, Jesus didn't stick around. It's like, "It just didn't work for me." Maybe they saw hypocrisy in other (alleged) Christians and just gave it up...walked away. MANY OF THEM THINK ITS OK! After all..they gave it a shot... and they got their "get out of hell free" card and God is forgiving, right? Don't be so sure. God HATES hypocrites. If your whole life is a lie, consider: "All liars will have their part in the lake of fire." Rev. 21:8 The New Testament says zero about any such class as "backsliders." "THEY" are just plain lost. And to be saved, John 6:44 says that they can't just come to God anytime. They must be DRAWN to God by His Spirit. It is possible a time could come when God will no longer draw them...we cannot presume on His patience.

ARE YOU ONE OF 'THEM"? You don't have to guess...The New Testament gives a very clear picture of TRUE followers of Christ. Is this a picture of you?

1. You have a desire to learn from God's Word. I Peter 2:2

2. You feel God's Spirit convicting you of sin when you sin Rom. 8:16, John 15---

You don't make sinning the pattern of your life -- I John 3:8 (the one who practices sin is of the Devil)

3. You "follow" Christ John 10:28 "My sheep...follow me" You make your goal to do the will of God Matt. 7:21  (Not all who say, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom, but the ones who do God's will)

4. You acknowledge Jesus as "LORD"...which means BOSS or MASTER... i.e. the one in CONTROL of your life.  Romans 10:9-10

5 You may rebel, but if you do, God will DISCIPLINE you as His Child; all His children are disciplined at times. Hebrews 12:6-13

6 You want to be with other Christians, fellowshipping, worshipping, praying, learning God's word. Heb. 10:25

7 You believe all the Bible teaches, not picking and choosing. You believe at least these things:

   *Heaven and hell are real; Satan, angels and demons are real; The Bible is a fully trustworthy guide

  *Jesus was God in human form; was born of a virgin, died for our sins, was buried and returned to life bodily, then ascended to heaven and will return for his followers and to later judge the world. You believe He is your only hope of forgiveness and the only way to God; you understand your salvation is a gift offered as an UNDESERVED FAVOR (by Grace). Eph. 2:8-9

8. You look forward to the return of Christ for you. Titus 2:13

9. You have God's love in you - no hate for others. "He that loveth not knoweth not God" I John 4:8

10. You want others to be saved from hell enough to try to warn them (that is LOVE!)

(There is more that could be added, but this should tell the tale.)

"But you don't understand... I want no part of Christianity because Christians have hurt me." It happens. But consider: If a genuine Christian hurt you in obedience to God you have a legitimate right to be mad at God. But if one hurt you in DISobedience to God and Biblical principles... then you should be mad at the person or the Devil, BUT NOT AT GOD! Beyond that, Christians forgive, even up to 70 x 7 times. If you don't forgive, God doesn't forgive you. (Matt. 6:14, 18:22) Don't let flimsy excuses keep you out of heaven!

OK, back to the 10 point test. IF you failed the test... you may wonder WHY? WHAT WENT WRONG when you started out to be God's child? Here's a probable answer. The Bible word "Believe" (you were undoubtedly told to believe) carries with it the idea in the Greek of ENTRUSTING yourself to something or someone. You can "believe" the Dr. will cure your cancer, but you must also entrust yourself or SUBMIT yourself to Him by letting Him perform surgery. It is more than head knowledge. (God's "surgery involves a "'Spirit" implant.)

And who is it we are believing in? It is G O D..... the one who made you, and therefore OWNS you and has EVERY right to dictate every moment of your life. To trust Jesus Christ as your GOD is to say, OK...you own me, you are the boss; I SUBMIT TO YOU.

This has often been omitted from invitations to receive Christ. Many were told "accept Christ"....no... it is a matter of a HOLY GOD accepting you, a sinful person...when you come to him with a humble, repentant heart. You may have just been told to ask Him into your heart. Why would He want to indwell one who is not submitted to Him and who just wants a heavenly handout?

What may have been missing from your life is genuine REPENTANCE. Jesus said that unless people REPENT, they will PERISH. (Luke 13:3-5) If you were not taught that -- shame on the one(s) who omitted it! (I confess, I have been guilty of that in the past myself. Thus it is DOUBLY important for me to make the truth clear now.) Repent means turn around (literally to think again). You can't just accept that fire insurance policy and then walk away. Many who are caught up in the emotion of the moment when such invitations are given have NO DESIRE TO STOP BEING LORD AND MASTER OF THEIR OWN LIFE! They don't want a GOD, they want a benevolent uncle or Santa....or someone to make them happy, healthy and successful. That's not the offer. Now you know. The offer is rescue from hell-fire-torment that is real, and permanent. To repent is to CHANGE. If there is no change in your life, you didn't repent, and you aren't saved. It's that simple, for the Bible says: "God now COMMANDS all men to repent..." (Matt. 3:2, Matt. 4:17 Acts 3:19 2:38, 17:30) Perfection is not required; but a change of direction is.

If you are one of "them" we beg you to repent and enter into genuine eternal life. If you prayed the prayer in the past, but after that you seemed to have no power to change your life, or no desire to obey God in your day by day choices... it was probably because you never did receive God's SPIRIT in you to change you from the inside out! He can and will enable you to live for him if you just surrender to Him!

Don't view your sin as minimal; God won't grade on the curve. A PERFECTLY HOLY God has high high standards, and all of us have failed miserably to measure up. (Rom. 3:23) Even ONE sin will keep us out of heaven (James 2:10). Our sin GRIEVES and OFFENDS and ANGERS God, first and foremost. We need to get down on our KNEES and confess how we have treated Him! Of course He will forgive fully...forever (Heb. 10:14, John 5:24, Rom. 4:16) when our heart attitude is humble and includes sorrow for sin before Him (that is a part of repentance). But know that the FEAR of God is the beginning of wisdom. He's no Santa. He will judge you sooner or later! He deserves our broken-hearted humble worship. Repent now! Don't presume you will have a chance later. Don't exhaust God's patience! He loves you and is waiting for you...if your heart is touched by this message...the INVITATION IS OPEN. Say yes to Him! There are many signs that show Christ is coming back soon! Don't wait til it's too late! Don't just give Him a prayer.... this time, give Him YOU!

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FOR CHRISTIANS ONLY: If you have a concern about one or more of "them".... do the right thing. Even if you can't risk your relationship by doing it face to face... send them this warning anonymously... "They" need to be warned. It is the most LOVING thing you can do. They may figure they are going to be OK on the judgment day. They need to know the truth. Will you get the message to them? 100 years from now it may be viewed as one of the best things you ever did!

Questions; comments: Contact Sainttalk@cableone.net or visit Sainttalk.com. This article is not copyrighted. Free usage.