Years ago someone showed me a fake Rolex watch that he had bought in Mexico for $15. It looked exactly like a real $5,000 Rolex. He said, "Do you know how you can tell that it's fake? The second hand ticks every second and a real Rolex doesn't do that." A counterfeit item looks like the real thing, but a trained eye can tell that it's fake.Jesus warned us about having a counterfeit faith. He said, "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you. Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'" (Matt. 7:22-23).
Jesus is talking about Judgment Day and apparently these people had deceived themselves into believing they were saved--but they weren't. Jesus has a trained eye and can identify fake faith. They called Him "Lord" and even used His name to apparently carry out ministries, but Jesus says He never knew them. They didn't lose their salvation. They were never saved in the first place!
Are you reading about yourself in this passage? I hope not. Counterfeit faith is such a huge problem that Jesus gave us a preview of Judgment Day and told us that "many" will say this to Him. When you come to God with a sincere heart and ask to be saved, He will save you. But don't try to fake Him out because He can see right through it.
Follow me on Twitter. @KentCrockett www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com
