Reading in 2 Corinthians this morning. Paul is warning the Corinthian believers about those who call themselves Christians but are really unbelievers disguised as “angels of light”. Then he takes the Corinthian believers to the wood shed because they have “welcomed” (false Christians) them into their fellowship even though they taught a “different gospel” from the one that Paul preached.
As I thought on this it suddenly dawned on me that perhaps – just perhaps – we too readily accept and embrace those who “call” themselves Christians, but inwardly they don’t have a clue about the New Birth experience.
I’m not saying that we should shun anyone. But for someone to approach you with a smile, shake your hand and say, “Hi, I’m a Christian” . . well, sorry – Paul is saying that is just not enough.
I think God wants us to “probe”. Ask the questions that would led you to believe they are what they say they are. You can do this in love, and in most cases, they won’t even realize that you are verifying their Christianity. You have to ask the right questions and do it over time.
© 2010, Matt. All rights reserved.
