How Does the Bible Define a False Convert?

 

[How Does the Bible Define a False Convert? Proclaiming the Gospel Ministries] "The most terrifying words any professing Christian could ever hear would be the irreversible words of our Lord Jesus Christ, "Depart from Me, I never knew you" (Mat. 7:23). Tragically, Jesus will turn away "many" who call Him Lord on judgment day. They are people who may have been loyal to their denomination, who did mighty works and prophesied in His name, yet they will be unqualified to enter into heaven (Mat. 7:21-23). The phrase "Depart from Me" is the final sentence to hell as noted when Jesus uses it again in Mat. 25:41. He declares: "Depart from Me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." You would think this unexpected and horrifying judgment would cause Christians to wonder who these people are and, if in fact, they could be one of them. Some would dismiss any idea that the warning applies to them because they know they believe in Jesus. But how do they know their faith is genuine?

James describes two kinds of faith in his epistle. He contrasts a living, genuine faith that justifies with a dead, spurious faith that gives only a false hope. James is warning professing Christians, whose faith is barren and unfruitful, that they are foolish if they don't recognize their faith is dead and useless (Jas. 2:17, 20). Only genuine faith bears fruit. Faith without works is the faith of the devils, mere intellectual assent without repentance. When James says, "show me your faith," he is asking for evidence of their new life in Christ (Jas. 2:18). Since faith is invisible, it cannot be seen by other men. Likewise, no one can see a gusting wind, but they can see its effects. True faith is vindicated by those who are "doers of the word and not merely hearers" (Jas. 1:22). That is why James said: "I will show you my faith by my works" (Jas. 2:18).

James is in harmony with our Lord Jesus who said those who bear fruit prove to be His disciples (Jn. 15:8). They are the branches that abide in Christ, the Vine. A professing Christian who bears no fruit is separated from Christ (John 15:6). The Lord's illustration makes a distinction between true and false converts, those who bear fruit and those who do not. The fruit reveals whether one is in Christ or separated from Christ. Fruit that glorifies God is the evidence of an abiding, living faith in Christ Jesus. True justifying faith will be evidenced by works and obedience to God's Word. Those abiding in the Vine will live to glorify God while turning from "lawlessness" (Mat. 7:23; John 15:4-8).

What did Jesus mean when He said, "I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness"? Clearly, He is omniscient and knows everyone. However, He does not know everyone in the sense of having an abiding, intimate, covenantal relationship with them as His disciples. This is similar to those who say they know Jesus, but do not know Him in a relational, experiential way. They may know that He was a historical person and even believe some facts about what He did, but they may not be personally involved with Him or experience Him in an intimate bond of love. It was for this reason, Paul said, "I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" (Phil. 3:8).

Just as no one will know they are deceived until they are confronted with the truth, no one will know they are a false convert until they experience true conversion. May I lovingly invite you to examine yourself today and test your faith to see if it is genuine (2 Cor. 13:5). If you are truly saved by God's grace, it will give you further assurance of salvation. However, if you fail the tests that are given in James 2 and 1 John, trust the objective Word of God and not your subjective profession of faith..." Pro-gospel.org

Also see:


False Converts and Biblical Assurance
Walking Others through Biblical Assurance

 

Response to comment [from a Christian]: "[Note]:  [T]he Spirit in a person is not passive like they say in Church.
The best to you.."

Yes, the Holy Spirit (the third person of the trinity) indwells the believer. It's not about religion It's about a relationship.

 

"What was your question again?  The assumed Holy Spirit is not it..."

 

In the video ([URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NK_XRwtuDD0"]False Converts and Biblical Assurance[/URL]) Jesse Barrington discusses false conversions.  Many people believe that they are saved when they are not.

 

"Church is not from GOD."

 

Huh? :AMR:

 

See:

 

Church

We are repeating like Israel...

 

Response to comment [from a Christian]: [Tares]

 

"Tares. A poisonous grass resembling wheat, but with smaller seeds. The tares were usually left in the fields until harvest time, then separated from the wheat during winnowing. Jesus used tares growing with wheat as a parable to illustrate evil in the world (Matt. 13:25–30, 36–40). Tares is translated weeds in the NRSV and NIV, and darnel in the REB." Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., & Harrison, R. K., Thomas Nelson Publishers (Eds.). (1995). In Nelson’s new illustrated Bible dictionary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Parable of the Wheat and Tares

Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’” The New King James Version. (1982). (Mt 13:24–30). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.


 

Response to comment [from a Christian]:  "Ezekiel 18:24...Genuine worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth."

 

Yes.

"Eze 18:24 a righteous man turns. The next scenario is a righteous man turning to a life of sin. His former, apparent righteousness was not genuine (cf. 1 John 2:19), and God did not remember it as a valid expression of faith." MacArthur, J., Jr. (Ed.). (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed., p. 1175). Nashville, TN: Word Pub.

 

How Does the Bible Define a False Convert?