What is the ultimate purpose or reason to be a Christian? The answer may depend on how you come to Christ. But hopefully, through our sanctification, we come to know that our purpose is to worship God, in spirit and in truth. That is to live every moment of our life Coram Deo, and I mean every moment, knowingly in the presence of God, under the authority of God, to the glory of God.

So what does a Christian look like, outwardly? In theory, they should look the same outside as they do inside, and that is what should make us distinct.

There are “Christians”, and then there are Christians. Jesus said that, “not every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord will enter heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

In that scripture above, calling Jesus “Lord, Lord” sounds like a person who recognises Jesus’ lordship in their life. And where Jesus says, Lord, Lord in this passage, Jesus is emphasising someone who certainly believes in Jesus. It’s very interesting, and may I add, frightening.

So, we know from this text that there is a difference between someone being involved in Christianity, whether that’s a pastor, church staff, or an infrequent church attender and someone who does the “will of the Father”.

Pastors are held to certain biblical standards, as found in Timothy and Titus. We would expect that they would not be one of the ones Jesus is referring to here, however I’m sure you know it applies to every manner of person, regardless of position.

Then why do we act like these words of Jesus Christ have no relevance to us, to any of us? Many pastors preach in their sermons that those Christians who are turned away by our Lord are those who place trust in salvation in themselves and their works above their faith in Jesus Christ; but I don’t think this is what Jesus is saying here. And for what it’s worth, these words would apply to the so-called Berean as they would to a Corinthian.

The scripture is not about works, it’s about regeneration, sanctification and obedience. The Lord Jesus is clear that He only knows those who are His, who the Father has given Him. That points to His children, people whom the Spirit has regenerated. These are the elect, those whom He predestined to salvation. Jesus said, “It is the Spirit who gives life, the flesh profits nothing”, and moreover, “except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

The New Testament, including the words of God Himself our Lord Jesus Christ, emphasises that regeneration precedes faith. What follows is obedience to the Word of God through sanctification.

Have you ever spent a season of your life reading only the words in red? I recommend reading Jesus’s words over and over again in the Gospels. When I do this it helps me to draw close to Jesus and know Him more.

One of the most prominent messages of Jesus ministry is love, and Jesus always ties loving Him to obedience. Jesus never talks about He loves people, yet the Charismatic evangelist repeats this over and over. What Jesus does say repeatedly is love Me!

Despite what the Church of England and other such assemblies would have you believe about Jesus, He is not ecumenical. In fact, Jesus couldn’t have been more radically opposite. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life”, He said, “I am the bread of life”. He was not tolerant of other faiths. Jesus demands absolute trust and faith in Him alone. Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me”.

If you read the words in red over and over, you will grasp what it means to be a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. Ultimately, it would be to do the works of the Father. I believe that statement is best summed up in this command of Jesus, “love your enemies”.

I believe it is the desire and ability to love your enemies that demonstrates an outworking of the Holy Spirit in one’s life. Speaking for myself, I don’t think this is a natural desire. I have prayed to God to give me this desire and to understand what it means to love my enemies.

I have a problem with other faiths, and that is okay as a Christian; Jesus demands our worship of Him alone. What is not okay is to apply dislike to the person of another faith, which has been a deep challenge – and it has not always been obvious.

It’s interesting that when Jesus is asked, “who is my neighbour?”, in the context of love your neighbour as yourself. Jesus proceeds to tell the well-known story of the ‘good Samaritan’, which is where a person helps an enemy in distress.

It seems to me that modern culture would have us believe that this is merely about helping others in need, but it’s not. Now we know the story is not about helping those whom you know personally. The story is not about helping another white person who lives in another part of the UK. Nor is the story about embracing other faiths – absolutely not.

The story Jesus is telling resembles something of his own meritorious work towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Jesus died for us. The scripture tells us, as non-believers, we are enemies of God.

After telling the story, Jesus says to the lawyer, which one of these was the neighbour? The lawyer says, he who showed mercy on him. Jesus’ response, “go and do likewise”.

In the book of Luke we can read an account of Jesus’ words to His disciples;

“But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

²⁸ Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

²⁹ And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.

³⁰ Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.

³¹ And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

³² For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

³³ And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.

³⁴ And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

³⁵ But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

³⁶ Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.”

How can we hope in God for mercy when we wourselves are not merciful. Let me ask you, what are you seeking for in your life right now? What are you striving towards, and why? Let me ask you another question that although appears to be totally unconnected, maybe it isn’t. When you read about families in Muslim countries, children, women, and men who are starving, how do you respond? Will you help feed them? Consider the World Food Programme.

What is motivating you in your life? Is it to provide for your family? Are you vocationally ambitious? Are you trying to be ‘something’ or ‘someone’? Do you need to believe you are respected? What is motivating you? Do your feelings need to be valued above those of others? Do you need to feel as though you are right, especially concerning things of faith?

To all of those questions, I would ask, where are those desires coming from? God’s call on the Christian is to be intentionally outward-looking. Love God, love your neighbour. Who is your neighbour? Jesus says, “if you love Me, you will obey Me.” What are you waiting for?