The scripture text today is two sentences, a truth taught by the Master. We know we can trust what he tells us. It’s important to grasp the meaning because everything hinges on this truth.
Jesus said this long before these recent Occupy Movements around the world started happening. There is a lot of talk about those who have and those who have not with the people involved in these movements. Jesus tells us the way things are. He used it to describe a very basic condition of the soul. You either have salvation or you don’t have it. You either have Jesus as your personal Savior or you don’t. You cannot operate with a “think-so-salvation.” It can’t be a “seem-so-salvation.” It must be a know-so experience with the Lord. Having Jesus is possible. In fact he’s the most “have-able” possession there is to attain. We can all have salvation, the hope of heaven, and it comes through having Jesus Christ as personal Savior.
Luke 8: 17For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. 18Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.
Jesus taught this truth in other gospels. Here he emphasized the danger of seeming to be okay. Others may have a high opinion of you. How are you in the secret recesses of your soul? If you only outwardly show a profession of Jesus, it’s not enough. The secrets of the soul will be made known one day. People can be deceived. You can seem to have it. You can think you have. Reality may prove differently.
Do you think you have Jesus? “I hope so.” “I think so.” Either you do or you don’t. I’m not asking you to have doubts. I want you to ask yourself “do I have Jesus? Is my heart right with God?” Do you have or not have? It must be more than you seem to or think so. You must know so, and that knowledge is based on the Word of God. Are you saved according to the Bible way? There is no other way. To pretend or hope you’re a Christian might get you by for a while here, but it won’t get you by in eternity.
Are you brave enough to take a look into your heart and soul? Are you brave enough to listen to what they tell you? Think on these questions.
- Does it just seem like you have Jesus?
- Do you just think you have Jesus? If it’s only in your mind and not your heart, then you don’t have Jesus. Through the years many people have asked me if I thought they were saved. I can’t tell you that for sure. It may seem that you are, but you may not be. I have no way of knowing that. What others think about you doesn’t make you saved. It’s all about what you have. Do you have Jesus? Many have died having gone through the rituals of Christianity. People thought they were saved, but they died lost without the Lord. Listen to your heart.
- If you think you have Jesus, do you really? Forget what others think. What do you know? When it comes to the most important place in church, this altar, it should be full. However, we find it the emptiest place.
- Why does it seem you have Jesus? The Bible says if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. Do you attend church? We all need to and should. Coming to church doesn’t make you saved. Do you carry a Bible and read it every now and then? That doesn’t make you saved. The author of it must be in your heart. Do you think that because you believe the Bible that you’re saved? Your faith must be in the Lord; Jesus must be in your heart. Do you say your prayers? That must mean you’re saved. It doesn’t. You’re looking at someone who prayed every time he got drunk. The first prayer the Lord ever heard from me was one of repentance. All those others were nothing. A little ritual prayer every day doesn’t save you.
- Are you good to others and think that means you’re saved? You’re not good enough. You could never do enough good to save yourself. The devil can make you feel good. Have you dealt with your soul? You can do all the right things and leave Jesus out.
When your next breath comes, you could be standing before the Lord. Regardless of what you’ve done or professed, the little prayers you’ve prayed, or the good you’ve done to others, the only way to be accepted by God is through his Son Jesus Christ. The Bible says many will meet God and says such things as Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? Jesus said he will say unto them I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
What you have in your heart is determined by who you have in there. You must let Jesus into your heart if you expect to get to heaven. He is knocking. He wants in. It must be more than a think-so or a hope-so. It must be more than a seem-to.
When it comes to salvation, none of us need be a have not. We can all have Jesus! Accept him. Make sure you have him in your heart and life.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 