"I used to be a Christian."


Two responses to this comment:

Response Number 1

It may very well be that this person was never a Christian in the first place. They tried to do some religious things and to go to church--whether Baptist, Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, Calvinist, etc. but they go tired of going that route. This is very unfortunate, but the visible church is tiring, boring, and fallen. The following was written some years ago--

People write me and say, "Yeah, I used be a Christian. I even taught Sunday School but I woke up." Well, sitting in a garage doesn't make you a car and sitting in church doesn't make you a Christian. Knowing a couple of Bible stories doesn't make you a Christian either. Even Satan can quote scripture.

You see, most of these people have been DECEIVING themselves. Satan is a great trickster and he loves what the world calls "religious people". They work and work trying to get into God's good graces meanwhile never repenting of their sins and following Jesus Christ [according to his word]. The ONLY way to get in God's good graces is through Jesus Christ. Period. There is NO other way. If you don't go through Jesus you are nothing but a thief and a robber:

John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber...I am the door.
                              Jesus Christ, John 10:1, 7

It is not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to HIS MERCY that he saved us (ref. Titus 3:5).

The RELIGIOUS, unregenerate man is just as hellbound as any other sinner. You see he can fake himself out for a little while thinking he's a Christian, but it isn't sustainable in the long run. That is why they come in church, endure for a little while and drop out. They've been spinning their wheels in "service" to God and then they get tired of it. They don't have that Holy Ghost power because they have not been regenerated. They were "counterfeit" Christians. As John saith--

1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

Many who say "I used to be a Christian" NEVER really forsook this world. They may have quit certain habits (a form of will worship) but the world still remained deep in their affections--they still loved it, more than the Lord. The Bible reveals that they were enemies of the cross even though they called themselves Christians--

James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be A FRIEND OF THE WORLD IS THE ENEMY OF GOD.

1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. IF ANY MAN LOVE THE WORLD, THE LOVE OF THE FATHER IS NOT IN HIM.

John 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

For a man to reject this world is totally unnatural. It is supernatural. I used to love and crave this sick place and the crummy things it offered--crummy tv, crummy movies, crummy relationships, crummy philosophies, crummy thoughts, crummy aspirations, and crummy problems. I was deceived and accepted it all--like a dog eating vomit. I gave my honour unto others and my years to the cruel (ref. Proverbs 5:9). I let strangers devour my strength (ref. Hosea 7:9). But, bless God, in 1991, something happened. The Father drew me to the Lovely One, Jesus Christ. I didn't want this world anymore. I wanted Jesus and I wanted to please Him. I was saved by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost. I was born from above. The scales fell off of my eyes. The Father, the Son and Holy Ghost came in to live in me. Things will NEVER be the same. I have no desire whatsoever to return to the rudiments of this world. I will testify against it until the day I die. Jesus Christ is THE LORD and anyone who denies this fact is a liar and an antichrist:

1 John 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

1 John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

2 John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

"I used to be a Christian." ...Most people who say this used to be deceiving themselves and now their true colors have finally come out. What they need to do is repent of a truth and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ confessing His name and doctrine and bowing down before Him in service."

The person that makes this comment needs to start all over again and make sure that he understands what the gospel is and what it means to be saved and follow God's word (not church). Then they can count the cost of discipleship and make a decision as to which way they will go.

Links:

Response Number 2

The second response--this person was actually enlightened and actually tasted of the good word of God and of the powers of the world to come and then decisively turned back to the world. The Bible teaches that they cannot be renewed again unto repentance (ref. Hebrews 6:4-8).

Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

Hebrews 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

Hebrews 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Hebrews 6:7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:

Hebrews 6:8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

2 Peter 2:20 ...if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

2 Peter 2:21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

2 Peter 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.




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