There are two types of Christians. By alan ballou.
The Bible describes two types of Christians that grow together today; believers, and unbelievers. I know that most of you consider an unbeliever to be someone who has nothing to do with church, but the type of unbeliever I’m talking about does attend church, and grows right alongside you (Matthew 13:28-30).
Jesus makes it clear in the following verses that there will be people who hear His Words, but do not believe them.
John 12:47-48 And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him — the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. NKJV
Notice that Jesus does not judge those who do not believe His Words, but the Word itself, that they refused to receive, will judge them on the last day. The opposite is true for those who hear His Word and believe according to the following verses.
John 5:24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. NKJV
Now you can see the difference between the two groups of Christians. As I have mentioned, one group believes, and the other group doesn’t believe the Word of God. I say the Word of God because Jesus spoke the Word of God (John 12:49, below), and so did His disciples (2 Peter 1:20-21, 2 Timothy 3:16).
John 12:49 For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. NKJV
Every Christian can be identified by their fruits, which includes the things we say, as well as the things we do (Matthew 7:16-20, 12:33-37). However, both groups are considered disciples of Jesus Christ, according to the verses below.
In the passage below, Jesus identifies a group of His disciples, who “no longer followed Him,” because they did not accept His teachings. They followed Him up and to a point, but stopped after they heard something that they didn’t like. The same is true today.
John 6:60-66 Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” 61 When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.” 66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. NKJV
In verse 66 above, many disciples of Jesus stopped following Him. They had a problem with something that He said (verse 60 above), and so they did not believe (verse 64 above).
Jesus explained to them that His Words are both Spirit, and life (verse 63 above). However, they did not accept His Words, and so they did not continue walking with Him (verse 66 above).
They obviously believed at some point, since they were disciples, but they did not accept what He had to say. Therefore, Jesus has become a rock of offense to them, and after falling away completely, the Word that they reject will judge them at the last day.
Romans 9:33 As it is written: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” NKJV
One of the biggest things that I don’t think many Christians realize today is that those who do not believe cannot receive (James 1:5-7). Our ability to do anything spiritually is from the Lord, which includes our ability to stop sinning. When we reject God’s Word, we reject God’s power, which is contained in His Word (Romans 1:16-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, Acts 20:32).
Notice in verse 8 below that the people stumble because they disobey the message. Think about that for a moment. How many Christians associate their unwillingness to do what God’s Word says with their inability to stop sinning?
If we believe God’s Word, we are going to put it into practice, just as Noah believed God and built the ark (Hebrews 11:7). Believing and doing go hand in hand.
1 Peter 2:7-9 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; NKJV
According to verse 8 above, some people are appointed to disobey the message. Those who are appointed to eternal life, believe the message.
Acts 13:48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. NKJV
Those who reject the message, are also the ones who are disobedient (verse 8 above). Only those who believe the message will continue to receive what all Christians need in order to obey the message, which is more grace.
Don’t all Christians receive grace? Yes, but some, if not most receive grace in vain (2 Corinthians 6:1, Isaiah 26:10). In other words, grace did not produce the intended outcome in them. What is the intended outcome? Read Titus 2:11-15 out loud a few times from your Bible, and ask yourself what you would be doing if you had received an abundance of God’s grace.
Most Christians I talk to about this can look back over their life and see the point in time when they received an abundance of God’s grace, but like me, they were never told what actually happens to someone who receives grace. Read Titus 2:11-15, and then repent and return to the first works, before it is too late.
Revelation 2:4-5 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place — unless you repent. NKJV
Please see my blog post “Why are they against religion,” and “One of the biggest mistakes Christians make is not doing good works.” If you have any questions, please ask.
We gain access into grace through faith (Romans 5:2), and grace only reigns through righteousness (Romans 5:20). Therefore, when we do not continue in our faith, we fall away from justification (Hebrews 10:36-39). No faith means no access to grace, and no peace with God (Romans 5:1-2), and no protection (1 Peter 1:5).
Take a person who has been a Christian for more than five years, whose life is falling apart, and place them on a daily Bible reading schedule, and you will see their whole life turn around. Imagine that. No oil, no falling on the floor, no special prayer meeting, but just teach them to do what all Christians are supposed to be doing anyway; continuing in our faith in order to remain holy in God’s sight (Colossians 1:21-23, Romans 12:1-2), combined with believing what they read. That in-turn will put them into action (James 2:14-26).
It’s just that simple. Just obey the message! We stumble because we disobey the message. I’ve seen many Christians delivered from drugs, alcohol, and whatever else, in a few days, just by doing what they should have been doing all along; believing and following the instructions found in their Bible.
That’s God’s power! Not my power, but God’s power. All I did was show them what they should have learned in church when they first got saved. Knowing the truth set them free from being a slave to sin (John 8:31-37, Romans 1:28).
James 5:19-20 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. NKJV
If we are not careful, any of us can drift away from the Word, and neglect our salvation.
Hebrews 2:1-3 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, NKJV
According to the following verses, what do we Christians need to keep in memory in order to remain in the condition we were in when we first accepted Jesus as the Lord over our life?
1 Corinthians 15:1-2 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you — unless you believed in vain. NKJV
If we are not preaching the Gospel any more, what will that mean for church goers today? It means that the people attending church will remain just as they were before they started attending church, and that’s what we’re seeing; no change. What does the Bible tell us to do with Christians who deny the power of God, which is contained in His Word (Hebrews 4:12)?
2 Timothy 3:1-5 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! NKJV
My friend, you may have to read 1 Corinthians 15:1-2 above several times out loud in order to see it, but it says “saved if” we do something. What is it, and if you are not doing it, are you saved?
I know that doesn’t fit into what you have heard probably because you haven’t heard the Gospel, but if I can get the worst drug addict in the world to simply believe the truth, then I can place him in a position to where God will have mercy on him, and deliver him from drugs within 3 days. However, that’s becoming increasingly hard to do because there are many unbelievers in high places preaching a different message (1 Timothy 4:1); one that is not even written in their Bible.
Very, very few are preaching the Gospel this day and age, and that means the church is filling up with people who do not even know that obeying Jesus is a part of the Gospel message (Romans 15:15-20). In fact, I’ve had Christians boldly reject the Gospel written in their own Bible, and stand up for man-made doctrines like “Go have a personal relationship.”
No other time in the history of the church has the following passage been more true.
Matthew 15:8-9 “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'” NKJV
You don’t have to wonder if we are in the last days, when people who have been in church for years will take a stand for the commandments of men as if what they are quoting is actually a written doctrine that can be found in any Bible. Please see my blog post “Is there a preacher left that preaches the Gospel?” We are that far off track in this country.
Get this and let it sink in. Only those who obey Jesus come to know Jesus (1 John 2:3, Ephesians 4:20-24), and only those who obey Jesus, abide in Jesus (John 15:10). The rest will hear, “Away from Me, I never knew you” on the last day (Matthew 7:21-23, Luke 13:22-28). Check the verses.
The Word that they reject will judge them on the last day (John 12:47-48). And my friend, there are many more on that path, than those who are on the right path (Luke 13:22-28). Very few take the narrow path. Therefore, never follow the crowd.
Decide today what you will do. There is a good chance that you will never hear the verses I have mentioned again. We are in the “falling away” right now (2 Thessalonians 2:3), and the next thing that will happen is the “man of sin,” or the “lawless one” will be revealed.
Those who do not have the Gospel living on the inside of them will not have a chance of making it. The signs and wonders mentioned below will surely draw them away. As soon as all the big-time Christian leaders follow the man of lawlessness, the rest will follow without question. We are so close to the end.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. NKJV
Why will they perish according to verse 10 above? Why will they be condemned according to verse 12? Is it because they didn’t go to church? Nope. They do not love the truth, but continue in unrighteousness! If you have a problem with the verses I have mentioned, then you are surely in-line to follow those who do not believe God’s Word.
According to the verses below, those who will be saved, believe and hold to the teachings. The Gospel message they heard, which they are keeping in memory, tells them to do just that.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-15 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. NKJV
Like so many unbelievers, who speak in part truths and part philosophy, you might be thinking, “No one can snatch us out of His hands!” However, the sheep Jesus is referring to in John 10:28, believe and follow Him according to John 10:26-27.
John 10:26-28 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. NKJV
We need to make sure that we are in the group that Jesus identifies as His sheep. John 10:28 does not apply to Christians who do not believe Jesus, and refuse to follow Him.
Why do we never hear John 10:26-27? Those verses don’t please the crowd, or tickle the ear (2 Timothy 4:3-4). After a while, willful blindness eventually brings about a darkened understanding (Ephesians 4:17-19), and then the verses that the crowd pleasers reject, are taken from them (Mark 4:24-25). They have no idea that they are being used to deceive millions.
A Christian who does not believe, or follow Jesus, will never mention John 10:26-27, because those verses are not living in him. It’s as if they do not exist. That’s why he will never mention them.
John 5:38 But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. NKJV
So, when you mention verses that have been taken from the well-trained, they will even take a stand against you, as if you are a false teacher, teaching destructive heresies, which will seal their destruction unless they repent (2 Peter 2:1-3). He who hates correction will die (Proverbs 15:10).
Some say “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ.” That’s another one of those verses that worldly Christians use in defense of their faith.
However, they have no idea what the law of the Spirit is, which is evidence that they just learned what to say in order to please the crowd, or when certain topics come up they will use that verse. They call it apologetics. I call it, “What to say when your own Bible proves that you don’t know what you are talking about.”
Can you tell me what the law of the Spirit is? Probably not because nobody is preaching it, and yet everybody can quote Romans 8:1; “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ.”
Why don’t those who quote Romans 8:1, know what the law of the Spirit is? It’s the same reason why they skip over John 10:26-27, it’s been taken from them, and therefore, they speak in opposition to it (1 Timothy 6:20-21).
There are even churches today that proudly sing rock-and-roll songs during the service, and they too quote Romans 8:1. Imagine that. Are they promoting walking in the Spirit, or the flesh (Romans 8:12-14)?
Most of the newer Bibles, with the exception of the New King James Version, have taken the latter part of Romans 8:1 out, but still the reason why there is no condemnation is explained in the verses that follow (Romans 8:2-8).
Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. NKJV
The law of the Spirit is what sets us free from the law of sin and death (verse 2 above). The law of sin and death is “The soul that sins shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4). The law of the Spirit is explained in Romans 8:4-8 below.
Romans 8:4-8 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. NKJV
Tell me, how will a Christian ever be set free from the law of sin and death when worldliness is promoted right inside the church building, even during the service? Who are the enemies of the cross of Christ according to Philippians 3:17-19? Are they the ones who keep their mind on the things of this world? Why did Jesus call Peter Satan (Matthew 16:23)? Do we need to forsake our unrighteous thoughts (Isaiah 55:7)?
How do we fight like Christians according to 2 Corinthians 10:3-5? A friend of this world becomes God’s what according to James 4:4-10? Can we love this world and still have the love of God in our hearts according to 1 John 2:15? Does grace teach us to deny worldly lust according to Titus 2:11-14?
Do any of those verses tell you anything about a church that dances to worldly music during the service? There is no such thing as a worldly Christian who has a good understanding of the Word of God (1 Corinthians 3:1-3). My friend, if you can see the verses I have mentioned, get out before you lose what you have!
According to verse 4 above, the righteous requirements of the Law is only going to be fulfilled in the person who walks according to the Spirit (verse 4 above). The Christian who does not walk according to the Spirit will not fulfill the righteous requirements of the Law, and righteousness is still required to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 5:20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. NKJV
Righteousness has always delivered a person from the law of sin and death (Proverbs 10:2, 11:4). Most people only quote Ezekiel 18:4, but if you read Ezekiel 18:21-23 you will discover that righteousness will deliver a wicked person from death.
It is the same in the New Testament. In fact, the Gospel message itself contains an explanation of God’s righteous (Romans 1:16-17), but most people have not heard it because very few are preaching the Gospel. It doesn’t tickle the ear (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
Romans 8:5-8 above explains how to live according to the Spirit, by setting our mind on the things above, rather than the things of this world. A Christian, who has a carnal, or worldly mindset is headed for death, and is hostile toward God (verses 6- 7 above).
If it is born of flesh, then it is of the flesh, and it will only grow your flesh (John 3:6). The Word itself is Spirit (John 6:63), and by it we are born again (1 Peter 1:22-25). Those who belong to Christ, crucify their flesh through the Spirit (Galatians 5:24-25).
The next time you hear someone say “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1)” in order to get the crowd going, ask them about the law of the Spirit (Romans 8:2). Then you will be able to determine the difference between talented speakers, and those approved by God to preach the Gospel (1 Thessalonians 2:4-6).
I’m Alan Ballou; a servant. If you have a question for me, ask below, and I will answer you in accordance to what is written in the Bible. If I may be of service to you please contact me.
