This morning, I was thinking about the life of Jesus. He dined with everyone, even His enemies, He touched the untouchable, and loved the unlovable. One thing He never did in all of that was accept sin; in fact, He always told people to walk away from their sins, their idols, whatever it was that was keeping them from God, and follow Him. The people that always rejected Christ were the ones who were convinced they were correct and He was not. From Pharisees, to people who were just after Him for the miracles, many rejected Him based upon not who He was, but who they were and how they perceived themselves. We even see something similar happen to Stephen shortly before He was killed: Stephen had taught them about Christ beginning with Moses, and to keep from hearing him, they shouted and clapped their hands over their ears. The only reason people do that is because they don’t want to hear a truth that messes with their world view.
So I offer you this question: how far gone is too far gone? Murderers, rapists, liars, thieves, cheaters, those who commit any form of sexual immorality (as defined by God, not society), all are welcome to come and die and be born again in Christ. There is no sin that is unforgivable, save one: blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. And what, exactly is it? It’s denial of the Holy Spirit, and self-elevation. You can be religious, and do all of the right things, check all the right boxes, and be pious and morally righteous, but without Jesus, that is just a form of self-idolatry. Too far gone is when you elevate yourselves and your works instead of surrendering to Christ and His work.
I truly believe that people who refuse Christ, yes, even within the Church, are those who refuse to hear His voice and heed His knock. They want Christ on their terms, or not at all, and Jesus won’t accept that. If you’re reading this today, you’re not too far gone, wherever you’re at, but don’t wait! Surrender. Let Jesus turn your world upside down and give you true perspective on how the world really is. Jesus died, was buried and rose again to bring you new life. Don’t squander it.
Matthew 7:15-27
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
Revelation 3:14-22
“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.
“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
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