The Danger of False Assurance: Being Lost While Believing You're Found

When Being Lost While Believing You’re Found is the Worst Kind of Lost

It is a tragic sight to see a person wandering aimlessly, lost in the desert with no water or direction. However, it is even more sorrowful to see someone who believes they know the way, yet they are still lost. This is the worst kind of lostness, and it is the reality for many who claim to follow Christ.

As Christians, it is easy to become complacent and assume that our salvation is secure simply because we attend church, pray, and read the Bible. However, Jesus warns us in Matthew 7:21-23 that not everyone who calls Him Lord will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. There will be those who think they are saved, but they are not.

The Danger of False Assurance

False assurance is a dangerous trap that Satan uses to deceive people into thinking they are saved when they are not. It is easy to fall into this trap because it requires no actual change or transformation of the heart. It is simply a matter of going through the motions and saying the right things without truly submitting to Christ.

Jesus warns us in Matthew 7:21-23 that many will come before Him on judgment day, claiming to have prophesied, cast out demons, and done many good works in His name. Yet, He will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.”

This is a sobering reality, and it should cause us to examine our hearts and our motives. Are we truly following Christ, or are we just going through the motions? Are we seeking to know Him and follow His will, or are we seeking to use Him for our own purposes?

The Importance of Genuine Faith

The only way to avoid false assurance and ensure our salvation is genuine is through a genuine faith in Jesus Christ. This means that we must not only believe in Him but also follow Him and obey His commands.

James 2:17 tells us that faith without works is dead. In other words, if our faith does not produce good works and obedience to Christ, then it is not genuine faith. We cannot simply claim to believe in Jesus and then live however we want. True faith will always produce a life that is transformed and dedicated to serving Christ.

The Need for Self-Examination

It is easy to deceive ourselves into thinking that we are saved when we are not. Therefore, it is essential to regularly examine our hearts and our lives to ensure that we are truly following Christ.

2 Corinthians 13:5 tells us to examine ourselves to see whether we are in the faith. We must ask ourselves tough questions such as: Am I truly seeking to know and follow Christ, or am I just going through the motions? Is my life characterized by obedience to Christ and love for others, or am I living for myself?

The Promise of Salvation

While the reality of false assurance is sobering, the promise of salvation for those who genuinely follow Christ is a source of great hope and joy.

John 3:16 tells us that whoever believes in Jesus will not perish but have eternal life. Romans 10:9 says that if we confess Jesus as Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved.

Salvation is a free gift of God’s grace that we receive by faith in Jesus Christ. It is not something that we can earn or deserve, but it is a gift that we must receive by faith.

The Call to Follow Christ

Following Christ requires a radical commitment to Him and His will. It requires that we deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him (Matthew 16:24).

Jesus calls us to a life of obedience, sacrifice, and service. He calls us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31).

Following Christ is not always easy, but it is always worth it. It is the only way to avoid the worst kind of lostness and to ensure our salvation in Him.

The Importance of Community

Following Christ is not something that we can do alone. We need the support and encouragement of other believers to help us grow in our faith and avoid false assurance.

Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us to consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Being a part of a community of believers helps us to stay accountable and to encourage one another in our faith. It provides a place to ask tough questions, to receive guidance and support, and to grow in our relationship with Christ.

The Reality of Judgment

Finally, it is essential to remember that there will be a day of judgment when we will all give an account of our lives before God.

Hebrews 9:27 tells us that it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment. We will all stand before God and give an account of our lives.

Therefore, it is essential to ensure that our faith is genuine and that we are truly following Christ. We must examine our hearts and our lives regularly and seek to grow in our relationship with Him.

Conclusion

Being lost while believing you’re found is the worst kind of lostness. It is a dangerous trap that Satan uses to deceive people into thinking they are saved when they are not. However, genuine faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to ensure our salvation and avoid false assurance.

We must examine our hearts and our lives regularly, seeking to follow Christ and obey His commands. We must also be a part of a community of believers, who can support and encourage us in our faith.

Finally, we must remember that there will be a day of judgment when we will all give an account of our lives before God. Therefore, let us strive to follow Christ with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to live a life that honors Him.