The Master Is Returning: What Will We Give Back to Him?

Salvation Is a Gift—but the Gift Gives Us a Purpose

Many Christians understand that Jesus died to save us from our sins. We know that salvation is the gift of God, received by grace through faith and not earned by good works.

Yet there is another part of the Gospel message that is not taught nearly as often:

Jesus did not save us merely from something; He also saved us for something.

God’s Word says:

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
—Ephesians 2:10

We are not saved by good works, but we are saved for good works. Once we belong to Jesus, our lives are no longer entirely our own. We become servants of the King, stewards of His possessions, and representatives of His Kingdom.

The Christian life is not intended to be spent waiting passively for Heaven. It is an opportunity to serve our Savior, bear spiritual fruit, invest in His Kingdom, and prepare for the day when we will stand before Him.

The Common Thread Through the Teachings of Jesus

The parables of Jesus address many different subjects, but a common message runs through them:

The Master has entrusted something to His servants. He expects them to remain faithful, and one day He will return and ask them to give an account.

This thread appears repeatedly:

• The Sower plants the Word and looks for fruit.
• The Vine and the Branches teach that fruit comes through abiding in Christ.
• The Talents show servants managing what belongs to their master.
• The teaching about treasure in Heaven reveals where we should make our eternal investments.
• The watchful servants are commanded to remain ready for their master’s return.
• The Judgment Seat of Christ reveals that every believer’s work will be examined.
• The promised crowns and rewards demonstrate that faithfulness in this life carries eternal significance.

These are not disconnected teachings. They form one unified Kingdom message:

RECEIVE → ABIDE → BEAR FRUIT → STEWARD → INVEST → GIVE ACCOUNT → RECEIVE REWARD → GLORIFY CHRIST

Everything begins with what we have received from Jesus. Everything worthwhile is accomplished by abiding in Jesus. And everything ultimately returns to the glory of Jesus.

The Meaning of the Parable of the Talents

In Matthew 25:14–30, Jesus described a man traveling to a far country. Before leaving, the master entrusted his possessions to three servants.

One servant received five talents, another received two, and the third received one. Each received according to his ability.

The first two servants put the master’s possessions to work and produced a return. The third servant became afraid, buried his talent, and returned to the master only what he had originally received.

The talents were large sums of money, but the spiritual principle applies to everything God has placed in our care:

• Our time
• Our abilities
• Our spiritual gifts
• Our possessions
• Our financial resources
• Our influence
• Our relationships
• Our opportunities
• Our knowledge of the Gospel
• Our personal testimony
• The truth God has taught us

The servants did not own the talents. They were managing something that belonged to the master.

In the same way, we do not truly own anything. Our lives, abilities, opportunities, and resources have been entrusted to us for a limited period of time. We are stewards, and God is the Owner.

God Does Not Give Everyone the Same Assignment

One of the most encouraging truths in the Parable of the Talents is that the master did not give every servant the same amount.

God does not expect us to become someone else. He does not compare our assignment with another person’s assignment. He looks for faithfulness according to what He placed in our hands.

The servant with two talents received the same words of approval as the servant with five:

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
—Matthew 25:21, 23

The amount entrusted was different, but the faithfulness was the same.

Jesus will not ask us why we did not have someone else’s ministry, abilities, influence, or opportunities. He will ask what we did with what He entrusted to us.

The great tragedy of the third servant was not that he had received less. It was that he did nothing with what he received. Fear distorted his understanding of the master, and the talent entrusted to him remained buried and unproductive.

This raises an important question for each of us:

What has the Master placed in my hands, and what am I doing with it for His Kingdom?

What Does It Mean to Build Treasure in Heaven?

Jesus taught:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”
—Matthew 6:19–20

Building treasure in Heaven does not mean that we are purchasing salvation. Eternal life cannot be bought through generosity, religious activity, or human effort. Jesus purchased our redemption with His own blood.

Heavenly treasure is produced when we use temporary earthly resources for eternal Kingdom purposes.

We build treasure in Heaven when we:

• Serve people because we love Jesus.
• Give without seeking recognition.
• Help those who cannot repay us.
• Share the Gospel with someone who is lost.
• Teach God’s truth faithfully.
• Forgive when forgiveness is costly.
• Endure suffering without abandoning our faith.
• Use our abilities to bless others.
• Pray for people who may never know we prayed.
• Invest our time, money, and influence in what matters eternally.
• Obey God when no one else is watching.

Jesus even promised that something as small as giving a cup of cold water in His name would not lose its reward.

Nothing done faithfully for Christ is insignificant.

Treasure Is Not Merely for Ourselves

Jesus did say, “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” Therefore, we should not deny that He promises personal reward. Christ wants His people to desire eternal treasure rather than temporary earthly gain.

But the highest purpose of heavenly treasure is not personal pride.

Jesus gave everything to save us. We now have the privilege of offering our redeemed lives back to Him.

Whatever reward we receive will exist because He saved us, equipped us, sustained us, and produced fruit through us. Revelation 4:10 pictures the elders casting their crowns before the throne. Their rewards become an offering of worship to the One who alone is worthy.

The faithful believer will not stand before Christ and boast:

“Look at everything I accomplished.”

Instead, our hearts will confess:

“Lord, everything worthwhile came from You. This is what Your grace produced through the life You entrusted to me.”

We build treasure in Heaven because we want to have something of eternal value to place before the Savior who gave everything for us.

The Judgment Seat of Christ

The Bible teaches that believers will appear before the Judgment Seat—or Bema Seat—of Christ:

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”
—2 Corinthians 5:10

The Bema Seat is not a judgment to determine whether a believer is saved. Jesus bore the condemnation for our sins upon the cross:

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.”
—Romans 8:1

The Bema is the Master’s evaluation of His servants. Christ will examine how we used what He entrusted to us.

Paul described this evaluation in 1 Corinthians 3:11–15. Each believer’s work will be tested as though by fire. Some works will endure like gold, silver, and precious stones. Other works will disappear like wood, hay, and straw.

Christ will evaluate more than outward activity. He will also examine our motives.

Did we serve because we loved Him, or because we wanted recognition? Did we obey Him, or simply follow our own ambitions? Did we use His gifts for His glory, or bury them beneath fear, comfort, distraction, and self-interest?

A believer may be genuinely saved and yet suffer the loss of potential reward. That is why the way we live after salvation matters so deeply.

What Does It Mean to Be Counted Worthy?

Jesus instructed His followers to watch and pray that they might be “counted worthy” to stand before the Son of Man (Luke 21:36).

This must be understood carefully.

We cannot make ourselves worthy of salvation through human effort. Only the righteousness of Jesus makes sinners acceptable before God. We are saved because of His worthiness, not ours.

However, Scripture also commands believers to “walk worthy” of their calling. This refers to living in a manner consistent with the grace we have received.

We are not working to become saved. We are working because we belong to the Savior.

We do not obey Jesus to earn His love. We obey because His love has captured our hearts.

We do not pursue faithfulness to purchase a place in Heaven. We pursue faithfulness because Heaven is our home and Jesus is our King.

The Crowns of the Faithful

The New Testament describes several crowns associated with faithful Christian living:

• The imperishable crown for spiritual discipline and faithfulness—1 Corinthians 9:25
• The crown of rejoicing, associated with people reached and encouraged for Christ—1 Thessalonians 2:19
• The crown of righteousness for those who love Christ’s appearing—2 Timothy 4:8
• The crown of life for faithfully enduring trials and persecution—James 1:12 and Revelation 2:10
• The crown of glory for faithfully shepherding God’s people—1 Peter 5:4

These crowns are not trophies for human pride. They represent Christ’s recognition of faithfulness.

The greatest reward will not be the crown itself. It will be the approval of the Master:

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Can you imagine hearing those words from Jesus?

The One who endured the cross for us will look upon the fruit His grace produced through us and recognize our faithfulness. No earthly accomplishment or human applause could ever compare with that moment.

The Enemy’s Strategy of Distraction

The enemy may not always try to make believers openly reject Christ. Sometimes his strategy is simply to keep us distracted from our Kingdom responsibilities.

If he can keep us preoccupied, comfortable, fearful, offended, entertained, discouraged, or consumed by temporary concerns, he can keep us from investing in eternity.

Jesus repeatedly warned about:

• The cares of this world choking the Word
• Earthly treasure capturing the heart
• Spiritual sleepiness
• Lamps being allowed to go out
• Talents being buried
• Love growing cold
• Hearts becoming weighed down by the concerns of life
• Servants forgetting that their master will return

A person can spend an entire lifetime managing earthly responsibilities while neglecting a heavenly assignment.

The enemy wants us to forget that we are living between two great events: the Master’s departure and the Master’s return.

The Kingdom Is Our Present Calling

The Kingdom of Heaven is not merely the place believers enter after death. It is also the present rule of Christ under which His people are called to live.

Jesus is our Savior, but He is also our Lord and King.

We have been entrusted with Kingdom resources during His apparent absence. We are called to work, serve, invest, love, forgive, witness, endure, and bear fruit until He returns.

When He comes, every servant will give an account.

Whatever survives His examination will become eternal treasure—a lasting testimony to what the grace of Jesus accomplished through a surrendered life.

What Will We Give Back to Him?

This is the question that brings all these teachings together:

What will we give back to the One who gave everything for us?

Perhaps we have buried something He intended us to use. Perhaps temporary concerns have crowded out an eternal assignment. Perhaps fear has kept us from serving, giving, speaking, or obeying.

If so, today is not a day for condemnation. It is an opportunity to surrender ourselves again to Jesus.

As long as we are living, our stewardship is not finished. There is still time to invest what He has given us. There is still time to bear fruit. There is still time to build treasure in Heaven. There is still time to live for the words we long to hear:

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

The entire Christian journey can be expressed in these words:

Saved by Christ.
Abiding in Christ.
Working through Christ.
Evaluated by Christ.
Rewarded by Christ.
Returning all glory to Christ.

The Master is returning.

May He find us faithfully using everything He has placed in our hands—and may everything we bring before Him become an offering of worship to the One who gave everything to save us.

The “Be” Attitude: We Must Abide Before We Can Bear Fruit

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
—James 1:22

For many years, one of the central themes of my life has been the desire to hear Jesus say:

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
—Matthew 25:21

But there is another theme that must come before “Well Done.” I call it the “Be” Attitude—the attitude of being in Christ, abiding in Christ, and becoming the person Christ desires us to be.

James tells us to be doers of the Word. Yet before we can faithfully do the Word, we must first learn what it means to be in Christ.

Christianity is not merely a religion of doing. It is a living relationship of being—being forgiven, being surrendered, being transformed, and being united with Jesus Christ.

We must be before we can genuinely do.

Doing Must Begin With Being

It is possible to hear sermons, read the Bible, attend church, speak Christian words, and participate in religious activities without being inwardly transformed.

James warns us:

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
—James 1:22

Hearing God’s Word without responding to it can produce spiritual self-deception. We may come to believe that knowing biblical truth is the same as obeying it.

But Jesus does not merely call us to collect information about Him. He calls us to surrender ourselves to Him, abide in Him, and allow His life to transform ours.

The “Be” Attitude is not simply trying harder to behave like a Christian. It is living from a surrendered relationship with Christ so that our actions increasingly reflect His character.

We do not become doers of the Word merely through determination. We become doers as the Word takes root in our hearts and the life of Christ begins to work through us.

We Must Abide Before We Can Bear

Jesus explained the source of all genuine spiritual fruit:

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.”
—John 15:4

A branch cannot produce fruit by struggling, pretending, or drawing attention to itself. It bears fruit because it remains connected to the vine.

Jesus continued:

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
—John 15:5

This gives us the proper order:

Be in Christ.
Abide in Christ.
Bear fruit through Christ.
Do the Word of Christ.

Fruit is not the means by which a branch becomes connected to the vine. Fruit is the evidence that the branch is receiving life from the vine.

In the same way, our good works do not purchase salvation or earn a relationship with Jesus. Salvation is the gift of God’s grace, received through faith. But when we genuinely belong to Christ, His life should begin producing visible fruit through us.

What Does It Mean to Abide?

To abide in Christ means to remain close to Him, depend upon Him, trust His Word, submit to His will, and draw our spiritual life from Him.

Abiding includes:

• Spending time in God’s Word and allowing it to correct us.
• Praying with dependence rather than self-confidence.
• Obeying what Jesus teaches.
• Confessing and turning away from sin.
• Depending upon the Holy Spirit.
• Loving others as Christ has loved us.
• Remaining faithful when life becomes difficult.
• Seeking God’s glory instead of our own recognition.

Abiding is not passive. It is an active, continuing dependence upon Jesus.

A branch does not visit the vine once a week. It remains connected. In the same way, abiding is not limited to attending church on Sunday. It is a daily relationship of surrender, trust, obedience, and fellowship with Christ.

The Evidence Is Fruit

Jesus said:

“Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.”
—Matthew 7:17

Fruit reveals the nature and health of the tree. Our lives will eventually reveal what is taking place within our hearts.

The fruit Jesus seeks is more than public religious activity. It includes a transformed character—a growing love for God and others, humility, repentance, obedience, mercy, faithfulness, generosity, self-control, and a desire to glorify Christ.

Good fruit does not mean sinless perfection. Every believer continues to need God’s grace, correction, and cleansing. But a person who is abiding in Christ should demonstrate a growing pattern of spiritual life.

There should be evidence that Christ is changing us.

This fruit is not something we can manufacture independently. It is produced through the life of Christ working within us. The branch bears the fruit, but the vine supplies the life.

Therefore, we cannot boast about the fruit. All the glory belongs to Jesus.

A Serious Warning About Fruitlessness

John the Baptist warned:

“And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
—Matthew 3:10

In its immediate setting, this was a call to repentance. John was confronting people who depended upon religious heritage while failing to demonstrate the fruit of genuine repentance.

The warning still speaks powerfully today.

God is not impressed by religious labels, family backgrounds, church membership, public professions, or outward appearances when the heart remains unchanged. Genuine repentance should eventually produce visible fruit.

This does not mean that we are saved by producing enough good works. It means that saving faith does not leave us exactly as it found us.

Grace forgives us, but grace also begins transforming us.

When Spiritual Activity Is Not Spiritual Fruit

Jesus gave one of the most sobering warnings in Scripture:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”
—Matthew 7:21

The people Jesus described appeared extremely religious. They claimed to have prophesied, cast out demons, and performed many wonders in His name.

Yet Jesus declared:

“I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”
—Matthew 7:23

Notice that Jesus did not say, “I knew you once, but then I stopped knowing you.” He said, “I never knew you.”

Their religious works were not the fruit of an abiding relationship with Christ. They used His name, but they did not belong to Him. Their activities appeared spiritual, but their lives were characterized by lawlessness rather than surrendered obedience.

This passage teaches us that impressive works are not always the same as good fruit.

A person may preach, teach, lead, give, serve, or perform remarkable acts while seeking pride, recognition, influence, money, or personal fame. Religious activity can draw attention to the individual without bringing glory to God.

True fruit flows from knowing Jesus and being known by Him.

The most important question is not, “What remarkable things have I done?” It is, “Do I truly know Jesus, and does my life flow from my relationship with Him?”

Fruit or Religious Performance?

Religious performance says:

“Look at what I have done.”

Genuine fruit says:

“Look at what Christ has done in me and through me.”

Religious performance depends upon human ability.

Genuine fruit depends upon abiding in Christ.

Religious performance seeks recognition.

Genuine fruit seeks the glory of God.

Religious performance may impress people.

Genuine fruit pleases Jesus.

This is why motives matter. At the Judgment Seat of Christ, the Lord will not merely examine the visible size of our accomplishments. He will reveal the quality and motives of our work.

Some believers may perform unnoticed acts of faithfulness that the world considers insignificant, yet Jesus sees every prayer, every sacrifice, every act of mercy, and every quiet act of obedience performed for His glory.

From the “Be” Attitude to “Well Done”

The “Be” Attitude and the “Well Done” life cannot be separated.

Before we can hear “Well Done,” we must be found in Christ.

Before we can bear lasting fruit, we must abide in Christ.

Before we can become faithful doers, we must receive and surrender to His Word.

The progression is:

BE IN CHRIST → ABIDE IN CHRIST → BEAR FRUIT → DO HIS WORD → STEWARD WHAT HE ENTRUSTS TO US → GIVE AN ACCOUNT → HEAR “WELL DONE.”

We are not saved because we have done well. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. But those who have been saved are called to walk in the good works God has prepared for them.

Our works do not earn salvation. They reveal, however imperfectly, the transforming presence of the Savior.

Even then, we cannot take credit. Jesus said plainly:

“Without Me you can do nothing.”

Every act of faithfulness begins with His grace. Every piece of good fruit comes from His life. Every eternal reward ultimately becomes another reason to honor and glorify Him.

A Personal Examination

This lesson invites each of us to ask:

• Am I merely hearing the Word, or am I allowing it to change how I live?
• Am I trying to produce spiritual results through my own strength?
• Am I abiding daily in Jesus?
• Is my life producing the fruit of repentance, love, humility, and obedience?
• Do my good works point people toward Christ or toward me?
• Am I seeking recognition from people or approval from Jesus?
• Do I truly know Christ, or have I only learned how to speak the language of Christianity?

These questions are not intended to drive sincere believers into constant fear. They are invitations to draw nearer to Jesus.

If we discover fruitlessness, pride, selfish ambition, or spiritual dryness, the answer is not to pretend harder. The answer is to return to the Vine.

Confess what He reveals. Surrender what you have withheld. Trust His grace. Remain in His Word. Depend upon His Spirit. Allow His life to flow through you again.

The Lesson to Remember

The Christian life does not begin with doing great things for Jesus. It begins with surrendering ourselves to Jesus.

We must be before we can truly do.

We must abide before we can bear.

We must know Christ before our works can become the genuine fruit of His life within us.

The goal is not simply to look productive, religious, or successful. The goal is to remain so closely connected to Jesus that His character, love, truth, and faithfulness become visible through our lives.

Then, when we stand before Him, we will not present a spiritual résumé and boast about what we accomplished.

Instead, we will humbly acknowledge:

“Lord, every good thing came from You. You were the Vine. I was only a branch. Your grace supplied everything.”

And by His grace, the words we long to hear will be:

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

That is the fruit of the “Be” Attitude—a life that first abides in Christ and then bears fruit for the glory of Christ.

 

 

The Most Repeated Sign of the End: Do Not Be Deceived

A Lesson Every Follower of Jesus Must Learn

This morning, I watched John Barnett’s teaching titled, “What Is the Most Repeated Sign of the End, According to Jesus? One Word—Deception.”

This subject has weighed heavily upon my heart for several weeks. We are living in a time when many people believe that almost anything should be accepted. Truth is often treated as a personal choice, biblical morality is considered outdated, and people are increasingly encouraged to decide for themselves what is right and wrong.

This attitude might be described by the familiar expression:

“Everything goes.”

Many unchurched people have little understanding of why godly living matters. Even within Christianity, Scripture can sometimes be selectively interpreted to support a preferred denominational teaching, personal lifestyle, or cultural opinion.

How did we reach a place where truth has become so difficult to recognize?

More importantly, did Jesus warn us that this would happen?

He certainly did.

Jesus’ First Warning About the End Times

When Jesus’ disciples asked Him about His return and the end of the age, He could have begun by talking about wars, earthquakes, famines, persecution, or political turmoil.

But He did not begin with any of those things.

His first warning was:

“Take heed that no one deceives you.”
—Matthew 24:4

That order is important.

Before Jesus described what would happen around His followers, He warned them about what could happen within their hearts and minds. Events may frighten us, but deception can cause us to believe a lie while thinking we are following the truth.

Jesus repeated the warning several times in the same chapter:

“For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.”
—Matthew 24:5

“Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.”
—Matthew 24:11

“For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”
—Matthew 24:24

Jesus gave similar warnings in Mark 13:5–6 and Luke 21:8. He was not warning only unbelievers. He spoke directly to His disciples:

“Take heed that you not be deceived.”
—Luke 21:8

The lesson is unmistakable: deception will be one of the greatest spiritual dangers facing people as the return of Christ approaches.

What Is Deception?

A deception is not always an obvious lie.

Obvious lies are usually easy to reject. Effective deception often contains enough truth to sound reasonable while quietly changing, removing, or misusing something God has said.

Satan demonstrated this method in the Garden of Eden when he asked Eve:

“Has God indeed said…?”
—Genesis 3:1

Satan began by questioning God’s Word. He then contradicted God’s warning and encouraged Eve to believe that disobedience would bring freedom rather than death.

His methods have not changed.

Deception still causes people to question what God has said, distrust His authority, follow their own desires, and believe that disobedience will have no eternal consequences.

It may sound like this:

• “There is no absolute truth.”
• “You should do whatever makes you happy.”
• “A loving God would never judge anyone.”
• “All spiritual paths eventually lead to the same place.”
• “You can follow Jesus without surrendering your life to Him.”
• “As long as you once prayed a prayer, it does not matter how you live.”
• “God’s grace means repentance and godly living are unnecessary.”
• “The Bible must change to agree with modern culture.”

These statements may sound comforting, but comfort alone does not make something true.

The real question must always be:

What has God said?

When Everyone Defines Truth for Themselves

Our culture increasingly teaches people to find truth within themselves. Each person is encouraged to determine personal morality according to feelings, desires, and circumstances.

But if every person can create a different truth, the word truth loses its meaning.

Truth does not become false because society rejects it, and a lie does not become true because society accepts it. God’s truth does not change with public opinion, political movements, social media, or cultural preferences.

The Book of Judges describes a period when Israel abandoned God’s authority:

“Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
—Judges 21:25

That statement sounds remarkably similar to our present age.

People may believe that rejecting God’s standards produces freedom. In reality, when humanity separates freedom from truth, freedom eventually becomes bondage.

Jesus presented a different path:

“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
—John 8:31–32

True freedom is not found by escaping God’s truth. It is found by abiding in it.

Can Deception Enter the Church?

We should not assume that deception exists only outside the church. Religious deception can be especially dangerous because it uses Christian language, quotes Bible verses, and may be presented by persuasive teachers.

Scripture can be taken out of context or used selectively to defend a teaching that has already been decided upon.

Church traditions and denominational statements are not automatically wrong. Many have helped preserve and explain important biblical truths. However, every tradition, teacher, denomination, and doctrine must remain subject to the authority of Scripture.

We should continually ask:

Are we allowing the whole counsel of Scripture to shape what we believe, or are we selecting certain verses to defend what we already prefer to believe?

Sincere Christians sometimes disagree about difficult passages. A disagreement does not necessarily mean that someone is deliberately manipulating Scripture. We must approach such differences with humility and love.

Nevertheless, no Christian should be afraid to examine a teaching carefully. We must never ignore a passage merely because it challenges a tradition, confronts our behavior, or makes us uncomfortable.

The Bible must be allowed to correct us.

We are not the judges of God’s Word. God’s Word judges the thoughts and intentions of our hearts.

The Danger of Rejecting the Love of the Truth

Second Thessalonians 2 describes a future period of extraordinary spiritual deception. Paul explains that the coming lawless one will operate with satanic power, signs, lying wonders, and unrighteous deception.

But Paul also reveals why people will believe the lie:

“Because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”
—2 Thessalonians 2:10

Notice that Paul does not merely say they lacked information. He says they did not receive the love of the truth.

A person may hear the truth and still reject it because the truth interferes with something that person wants to believe, possess, or continue doing.

This leads us to an important lesson:

Deception is not only a problem of the mind. It is also a problem of the heart.

If I love my desires more than I love God’s truth, I will be tempted to accept any teaching that permits me to continue living as I please.

But if I truly love Jesus, I should want the truth—even when it corrects me.

A love for the truth means being willing to pray:

“Lord, show me where I am wrong. Correct my thinking, expose anything false within me, and teach me to obey Your Word.”

That prayer requires humility, but humility is one of our greatest protections against deception.

Deception From Genesis to Revelation

The Bible presents Satan as a deceiver from its opening chapters to its final pages.

In Genesis, he deceived Eve by questioning God’s Word. In the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly warned about false teachers, false prophets, and false christs. In the Epistles, the apostles warned that deception and apostasy would increase. In Revelation, satanic deception reaches a worldwide climax.

Revelation 13:14 describes the false prophet deceiving those who dwell on the earth through impressive signs. Revelation 20:3 tells us that Satan will temporarily be prevented from deceiving the nations. Revelation 20:10 records his final judgment and identifies him as “the devil, who deceived them.”

From beginning to end, Satan’s strategy is consistent:

1. Question God’s Word.
2. Distort God’s character.
3. Appeal to human pride and desire.
4. Make disobedience appear harmless.
5. Deny the certainty of judgment.
6. Offer a counterfeit in place of God’s truth.

The setting changes, but the deception remains the same.

Does Grace Make Godly Living Unnecessary?

One of today’s most dangerous misunderstandings is the belief that grace makes godly living optional.

We are absolutely saved by God’s grace through faith and not by our good works. No one can earn salvation. Jesus paid the full price for our redemption upon the cross.

But the grace that saves us also begins changing us.

Titus 2 explains this beautifully:

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.”
—Titus 2:11–12

Grace does not teach us that “everything goes.” Grace teaches us to deny ungodliness.

Grace does not give us permission to remain unchanged. Grace teaches us how to live for Christ.

Godly living does not purchase our salvation; it demonstrates the transforming work of God within us. We do not obey Jesus to make Him love us. We obey because He has loved us, saved us, and called us to belong to Him.

A profession of faith without any desire for repentance, surrender, obedience, or spiritual growth should cause a person to stop and examine the condition of the heart.

How Can We Protect Ourselves From Deception?

We do not protect ourselves by becoming suspicious of everyone. Neither do we become spiritually safe by winning arguments, memorizing prophetic timelines, or following a favorite teacher.

Our protection is found in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and a humble submission to His Word.

1. Know Jesus personally

Christianity is not merely agreement with a collection of doctrines. It is a surrendered relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

2. Love the truth

We must desire God’s truth more than personal comfort, cultural acceptance, or denominational loyalty.

3. Read Scripture in context

We should consider who wrote a passage, to whom it was written, what surrounded it, and how it agrees with the rest of Scripture.

4. Examine every teaching

A popular speaker, pastor, author, denomination, or online teacher can be mistaken. Every teaching—including the words in this post—should be examined by Scripture.

5. Obey what God has already revealed

Disobedience makes us more vulnerable to deception. As we obey God’s truth, we learn to recognize His voice and understand His ways more clearly.

6. Remain humble and teachable

Pride says, “I cannot be deceived.” Humility remembers that Jesus warned His own disciples to take heed.

7. Abide in Christ

Jesus said:

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit.”
—John 15:5

Our spiritual strength does not come from ourselves. It comes from remaining close to Christ.

Our Calling in a Deceived World

How should Christians respond to a world increasingly confused about truth?

We are not called to respond with hatred, arrogance, panic, or condemnation. People who are deceived need truth, but they also need compassion. We must remember that we, too, are entirely dependent upon God’s mercy and grace.

Philippians 2:15 describes our calling:

“That you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”

God has not called us merely to complain about the darkness.

He has called us to shine.

We shine by speaking truth with love. We shine by living differently. We shine by extending mercy, serving others, resisting compromise, and pointing people toward Jesus Christ.

The darker the world becomes, the more clearly a faithful life can display the light of Christ.

Questions for Personal Examination

This warning is not only for society, politicians, denominations, or other people. It is for each of us personally.

We should ask ourselves:

• Do I love God’s truth even when it corrects me?
• Am I reading Scripture for myself or depending entirely upon others to tell me what it means?
• Have I allowed cultural attitudes to change my understanding of right and wrong?
• Do I select only the Bible verses that make me comfortable?
• Am I following Jesus or merely following a religious tradition?
• Is God’s grace producing repentance and spiritual growth in my life?
• Am I becoming more like Jesus or more comfortable with the values of the world?
• Am I shining as a light, or am I blending into the darkness?

These questions are not intended to destroy a believer’s assurance or produce hopeless fear. They are invitations to draw nearer to Jesus, examine our hearts, and allow His Word to correct our course.

The Lesson We Must Learn

The greatest protection against end-times deception is not knowing every detail of Bible prophecy.

It is knowing Jesus Christ, loving His truth, abiding in His Word, walking in the Holy Spirit, and obeying Him by faith.

Prophetic knowledge without obedience can produce pride. Biblical truth received with humility should produce faithfulness, godliness, watchfulness, and hope.

Jesus did not give these warnings so that His followers would live in terror. He gave them so that we would remain awake, discerning, faithful, and prepared.

The question is not merely whether deception is increasing around us.

The more personal question is:

Could I be deceived—and do I love God’s truth enough to allow Him to correct me?

Our answer should be to surrender our hearts fully to Jesus Christ, trust His Word by faith, and ask the Holy Spirit to teach us how to live.

The world may continue redefining truth, but Jesus Christ does not change.

He is still:

“The way, the truth, and the life.”
—John 14:6

Let us know Him, trust Him, obey Him, and shine for Him as we prepare for the day when we will stand before Him.

A Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, protect us from deception. Give us hearts that genuinely love Your truth. Help us recognize anything that contradicts or distorts Your Word. Keep us humble, teachable, and willing to be corrected. Teach us to deny ungodliness and to live soberly, righteously, and faithfully in this present age. May our lives shine as lights in a darkened world, and may everything we do bring honor and glory to You. Prepare us to stand before You without shame and with confidence at Your coming. Amen

ANCHORING TRUTH--Against Deception and Apostasy - Forward and Video

 Forward by Chet Nowlen

Anchoring Truth—Against Deception and Apostasy

We are living in a time when deception is increasing, biblical truth is often being diluted, and many professing Christians are being influenced more by popular culture than by the Word of God. Jesus repeatedly warned that deception would be one of the great spiritual dangers of the last days. That warning makes this message from John Barnett especially timely.

Apostasy rarely begins with an open rejection of Jesus Christ. More often, it begins quietly—when people stop examining everything by Scripture, tolerate teachings that sound spiritual but are not biblical, or gradually allow the cares and pleasures of this world to weaken their devotion to Christ.

The only dependable protection against deception is to remain firmly anchored in Jesus and His Word. We must know the truth, love the truth, obey the truth, and ask the Holy Spirit to give us discernment. A faith built merely upon religious traditions, emotional experiences, or the opinions of influential teachers will not withstand the spiritual pressures that are coming.

This message is not intended to make us suspicious of everyone or fearful of the future. It is a call to spiritual alertness, personal examination, and deeper surrender to Jesus Christ. Each of us should prayerfully ask:

Am I truly anchored in God’s Word?
Would I recognize deception if it entered my church or appeared in my favorite teaching?
Do I love biblical truth enough to follow it even when it challenges my beliefs, traditions, or way of living?

Please take the time to watch John Barnett’s important teaching, “Anchoring Truth—Against Deception and Apostasy.” Listen with an open Bible and a prayerful heart. In an age of confusion, we must not build our lives upon shifting opinions. We must build upon the unchanging truth of God’s Word and remain faithful to Jesus Christ until He comes.

“Take heed that no one deceives you.” — Matthew 24:4

Today And That Day - Living Today in Light of Eternity

 

Today and That Day

Living Today in Light of Eternity

A statement commonly attributed to Martin Luther says:

“There are only two days on my calendar: today and that Day.”

Whether or not those were Luther’s exact words, the statement expresses a deeply biblical truth: the way we live today should be shaped by the Day when we will stand before Jesus Christ.

Most people realize that they will die someday, but very few live as though that day could come sooner than expected.

We plan for tomorrow, next year, retirement, vacations, purchases, and countless other things connected with this temporary life. Yet many people make little or no preparation for the one appointment no one can cancel:

“It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.”
—Hebrews 9:27

Perhaps you rarely think about eternity. You may never have read the Bible for yourself. You may have attended church as a child but gradually drifted away. You may consider yourself a good person, even though you remain uncertain about where you will go when this life ends.

Whatever your background may be, I am not writing to condemn you. I am writing because Jesus spoke plainly about eternity, and everyone deserves an opportunity to understand what He said.

Jesus did not warn people about judgment because He wanted them to perish. He warned them because He came to save them.

Why Did Jesus Speak So Strongly?

Some of the strongest words Jesus ever spoke were directed toward religious leaders who appeared righteous on the outside but remained unchanged within.

He asked them:

“How can you escape the condemnation of hell?”
—Matthew 23:33

These men knew the Scriptures, attended religious gatherings, prayed publicly, and were respected by their communities. Nevertheless, Jesus warned that outward religion could not make their hearts right with God.

The warnings of Jesus were not spoken only to people society considered exceptionally wicked. They were also directed toward respectable, moral, and religious people who had never truly surrendered their hearts to God.

Jesus warned religious leaders, His disciples, and the assembled masses. Although His words were spoken nearly two thousand years ago, they remain just as relevant today.

Human nature has not changed. People still become absorbed in the cares, pleasures, possessions, and ambitions of this temporary world. We continue living as though earthly life will last forever and eternity will never arrive.

Jesus confronts that dangerous illusion.

The Most Dangerous Assumption

One of the most dangerous thoughts a person can have is:

I have plenty of time.

Jesus told a story about a wealthy man whose land produced an abundant harvest. The man decided to build larger barns and store enough possessions to enjoy many comfortable years. He prepared carefully for his future on earth, but he made no preparation for eternity.

God said to him:

“Fool! This night your soul will be required of you.”
—Luke 12:20

The man was not called foolish because he worked hard or planned for the future. He was foolish because he prepared for everything except the day he would meet God.

Jesus also warned about a servant who began living wickedly because he said in his heart, “My master is delaying his coming” (Matthew 24:48–51).

His fatal mistake was assuming that delay meant he would never be called to account.

People make that same mistake today. Because judgment does not happen immediately, they assume it will never happen. Because Christ has not yet returned, they live as though He never will. Because another morning arrives, they assume they are guaranteed many more.

God’s patience should never be mistaken for His absence.

The Lord is patient because He does not desire people to perish but wants them to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Every additional day is an expression of God’s mercy—but it is not a promise of unlimited time.

Two Roads and Two Destinations

Jesus described two roads in Matthew 7:13–14.

One road is broad and crowded. It allows people to live according to their own desires without surrendering to God. Many travel that road because it appears comfortable, demands no repentance, and permits them to remain in control of their lives.

But Jesus said that road leads to destruction.

The other road is narrow because there is only one entrance: Jesus Christ.

Jesus said:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
—John 14:6

Jesus did not merely come to show us the road.

He is the road.

The path to eternal life is not trusting in a church, denomination, religious ceremony, moral record, baptism, or prayer we once repeated. It is turning from our sin and self-rule, surrendering our hearts to Jesus Christ, and trusting Him and His Word by faith.

This surrender does not earn us a place in Heaven. Salvation is God’s gift of grace, purchased by the blood of Jesus and received through faith.

We surrender because we finally realize that Jesus is Lord, that we cannot rescue ourselves, and that He alone can save us.

Why Do We Need a Savior?

Many people think sin refers only to terrible crimes committed by exceptionally evil individuals. But the Bible describes sin as anything in our thoughts, desires, words, or actions that falls short of God’s holiness.

Sin includes pride, dishonesty, greed, hatred, unforgiveness, selfishness, sexual immorality, hypocrisy, and unbelief. At its heart, sin is our determination to live independently of the God who created us.

The Bible reaches a conclusion that includes every one of us:

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
—Romans 3:23

That includes religious and unreligious people, the wealthy and the poor, the respected and the rejected.

It includes you, and it includes me.

We may compare ourselves with other people and conclude that we are reasonably good. But other people are not the standard by which we will be judged. God’s perfect righteousness is the standard—and none of us can meet it on our own.

That is why we need more than advice, education, religion, or self-improvement.

We need a Savior.

Why Did Jesus Die?

Jesus Christ is the sinless Son of God. He entered this world, lived the perfect life we have failed to live, and willingly went to the cross.

John the Baptist identified Him as:

“The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
—John 1:29

On the cross, Jesus bore the judgment sinners deserve. He was not merely a good teacher or a tragic victim. He willingly gave His life as the sacrifice for our sins.

He died, was buried, and rose bodily from the dead.

At the cross, we see two truths at the same time:

Our sin is far more serious than we imagine, and God’s love is far greater than we deserve.

The Savior who warned people about hell is the same Savior who endured the cross to rescue them from it.

Jesus is not trying to keep people out of Heaven. He came from Heaven and gave His life to open the way for sinners to be forgiven, reconciled to the Father, and given eternal life with Him.

What Does It Mean to Repent?

Jesus said:

“Unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
—Luke 13:3

Repentance is more than feeling frightened, guilty, or sorry. It is a change of heart that produces a change of direction.

To repent means that we stop defending our sin and agree with God about it. We turn away from self-rule and turn toward Him. We surrender our supposed right to control our own lives and acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord.

Repentance does not mean making ourselves perfect before Jesus will receive us. We come precisely because we cannot cleanse our own hearts or change ourselves.

We bring Him our sins, pride, shame, doubts, failures, and wasted years. We ask for mercy and place ourselves in His hands.

Surrendering Our Hearts to Jesus

Coming to Jesus involves more than learning facts about Him, repeating a prayer, or adding religion to our existing way of life. It means surrendering our hearts and lives to Him.

Surrender begins when we acknowledge:

• I have sinned against God.
• I cannot save myself.
• My good deeds cannot erase my guilt.
• Jesus died in my place and rose from the dead.
• His Word is true.
• He alone is worthy of my faith, love, obedience, and trust.

Surrender is not a work by which we earn salvation. Salvation is the gift of God’s grace.

Surrender is the response of a repentant heart that stops resisting Jesus, stops depending upon itself, and places its confidence in Him.

It is saying:

“Jesus, I cannot save myself. I believe Your Word. I trust what You accomplished through Your death and resurrection. I surrender my heart, my will, my future, and my eternity to You.”

This is more than believing something about Jesus.

It is entrusting yourself to Jesus.

Trusting Jesus and His Word by Faith

Biblical faith is not wishful thinking or a blind leap into the unknown. It is trusting the character of Jesus and believing the promises He has given us in His Word.

Jesus said:

“He who believes in Me has everlasting life.”
—John 6:47

He also promised:

“The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.”
—John 6:37

Faith takes Jesus at His Word.

It believes that He is the Son of God, that He died for our sins, that He rose from the dead, and that He will save those who repent and come to Him.

Faith rests in what Christ has accomplished rather than in our religious achievements, changing emotions, or personal goodness.

Genuine faith also produces a new direction. We will not immediately become perfect, but we will begin to desire Christ, trust His Word, turn away from sin, and learn to follow Him.

We are not saved because we follow Jesus perfectly.

We follow Jesus because He has saved us and is changing our hearts.

Today Is the Day of Salvation

If you do not know Jesus Christ, today is the most important day on your calendar.

Today is the day to awaken.

Today is the day to repent.

Today is the day to believe.

Today is the day to surrender your heart to Jesus and place your eternal destiny into His hands.

Do not wait until you believe you have made yourself worthy. You cannot make yourself worthy, and neither can I. We come to Jesus because He alone is worthy and because His sacrifice is sufficient to save us.

Do not depend upon your church membership, baptism, good deeds, family heritage, or a prayer you repeated years ago.

Ask yourself honestly:

Have I truly repented of my sin, surrendered my heart to Jesus Christ, and placed my trust in Him and His Word by faith?

A prayer cannot save you merely because you repeat certain words. Jesus saves those who come to Him in genuine repentance and faith. Prayer can, however, express the honest surrender of a heart turning toward God:

Lord Jesus, I realize that I have sinned against You and cannot save myself. My good deeds cannot remove my guilt. I believe You are the Son of God, that You died in my place, and that You rose from the dead. I believe Your Word and trust Your promise to receive those who come to You. Please forgive me, give me a new heart, and make me Your own. I surrender my heart, my will, my future, and my eternity to You. Teach me to know You, trust You, obey You, and follow You as my Savior and Lord. Amen.

Do not place your confidence in whether you said every word perfectly or experienced an immediate emotion. Place your confidence in Jesus Christ and what He accomplished through His death and resurrection.

That Day for the Believer

For those who already belong to Jesus, “that Day” carries another important meaning.

The Apostle Paul wrote:

“Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.”
—2 Corinthians 5:9–10

Believers in Christ will not appear before Him to determine whether His sacrifice was sufficient to save them. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).

Nevertheless, every believer will give an account of how he or she lived after receiving God’s gift of salvation.

Christ will evaluate our faithfulness, stewardship, works, choices, and motives. First Corinthians 3:13–15 teaches that our works will be tested. Some will remain and receive reward; others will be burned away as worthless. The believer will still be saved, but may suffer loss.

Salvation is by grace.

Rewards concern faithfulness.

We are not building a spiritual résumé to impress Jesus. Everything of eternal value in our lives is ultimately produced by His grace as we abide in Him. Nevertheless, our daily decisions matter.

Today is the day to love God wholeheartedly.

Today is the day to love our neighbors.

Today is the day to forgive.

Today is the day to share the gospel.

Today is the day to use our abilities, opportunities, time, and possessions for eternal purposes.

Today is the day to lay up treasure in Heaven.

Living Today for That Day

Yesterday cannot be recovered, and tomorrow has not been promised. Today is the day God has placed into our hands.

On that Day, the possessions, positions, recognition, and accomplishments of this world will no longer impress anyone. Questions that consume so much of our attention today will suddenly appear very small.

What will matter is whether we belonged to Jesus and what we did with the life, truth, opportunities, and resources He entrusted to us.

This message is not intended to produce hopeless fear. It is intended to awaken us to eternal purpose.

For the person who does not know Christ:

Live today in light of eternity. Repent, surrender your heart to Jesus, and trust Him by faith before the Day when your eternal destination can no longer be changed.

For the person who belongs to Christ:

Live today in light of the Day when you will give an account to the Savior who loved you and gave Himself for you.

One Day, every follower of Christ will see the face of Jesus.

I want that coming meeting to shape the decisions I make today. I want to stand before Him with confidence rather than shame. I want to hear the words every faithful servant longs to hear:

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

There are only two days on my calendar:

Today and that Day.

Today is my opportunity to prepare.

That Day is when I will stand before Jesus.

The Question That Changes Everything

As you consider your life, your priorities, and your eternal destiny, ask yourself:

How should I live today in preparation for that Day?

The warnings of Jesus are serious because eternity is serious. But His warnings are also evidence of His love and mercy. He tells us the truth because He does not want us to continue traveling down a road that ends in destruction.

Today, the door of mercy remains open.

Today, Christ is still calling.

Today, you can surrender your heart to Jesus, trust Him and His Word by faith, and begin walking the road that leads to eternal life with Him.

Do not waste today. That Day is coming.