Therefore by their fruits you will know them. Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will tell me in that day, “Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?”. Then I will tell them, “I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.”

Matthew 7:20-23

• 80% of Americans identify themselves as Christians. In a recent poll of Christians, 56% felt that people with no religious affiliation could be saved and 42% believed that atheists could be saved; both by living a good life.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.”

John 14:6

There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved!

Acts 4:12




• 65% of Americans believe they will go to heaven; 0.05% believe they will go to hell.




• The Southern Baptist Home Mission Board conducted a study in 1993 in which it estimated that only 30% of all Americans are going to heaven. This estimate was based on the projected numbers of those who had had a “born-again” experience.

For many are called, but few chosen.

Matthew 22:14




• Many people who identify themselves as Christians may not have a true understanding of the seriousness of their sins. Without this knowledge of sin, they may not understand the enormity of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. Without an understanding and appreciation of what Jesus did for us, there is no motivation for them to ask God to help turn them away from (repent of) their sins. Many still do not trust that what God wants for us is best. Rather than trusting God and doing what He says, they excuse their own favorite sins and even look to twist God’s Word to defend their sins.

  We should gently remind them of what The Bible says about this willful sin and assure them that God can take away any sinful desires we have.

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries. A man who disregards Moses’ law dies without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will he be judged worthy of, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant with which he was sanctified an unholy thing, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?

Hebrews 10:26-29

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17




• Many professing Christians and many Christian churches excuse their sins or the sins of others in order to be more acceptable to a secular society. 50% of Americans believe that using pornography is not a sin, 54% believe that swearing is not a sin, 55% believe that pre-marital sex is not a sin, 59% believe that getting drunk is not a sin, and 82% believe that ignoring the Sabbath Day is not a sin.

For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to fables.

2 Timothy 4:3-4




• While no one except God and the individual knows whether someone is saved or not, Jesus said that we can tell a tree by its fruits. If the fruits are not righteous, if a person is living in willful sin and making excuses for their sins, then we have reason to be concerned for their soul and should do whatever we can to share the truth of The Bible with them. This can be a difficult thing especially if these people are our co-workers, friends, and family members. But if we love them and care about them, we will share with them the hopeful promise that God can take away even the sinful desires that, at the moment, they don’t want taken away. All they have to do is truly want to stop sinning against God and He will help them do it.

No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

1 Corinthians 10:13