“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.” Matthew 5:20
At this point, it would be good to define precisely whom we are talking about when the term Christian is used. Christians are those people who claim salvation through the blood of God’s only begotten Son — Jesus. This usually involves accepting Jesus as God’s Son who was “raised from the dead” and then confessing this fact with your mouth and believing it with your heart. Here is the biblical process as outlined and explained by the Apostle Paul in Romans 10:8-10.
“But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith which we preach): [v9] that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [v10] For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Anything less than this complete two-step process [formula] means that you are not really saved by the blood of Jesus. It is confessing coupled with believing. The part left out by most people who call themselves a Christian is: “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness…” Put another way, your belief in God is so strong that you will stand your ground for righteousness. It means you will stand for truth even in the face of severe persecution. Does this describe Christianity today? No, Christians are often the first to turn their backs on the truth. Why?
Yes, I know the Word: “Whoever calls on his name shall be saved.” See Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13. Then take notice that the second reference is located directly at the end of the two-step process. Take heed.
