Closing Dates

The homeowner was happy to finally have an interested buyer for their house. The buyer assured them that he would be able to close soon. He professed that he was pre-approved for a loan and all that he would have to do is notify the bank.

However, after a week passed there was no word from the potential buyer or his bank about a closing date. After a few phone calls from the closing attorney, the buyer finally had to confess that while he had been pre-approved for a loan, the amount that he was approved for was far less than the asking price of the home.

This familiar story helps to illustrate for us that there is a difference between professing and confessing. In this case, the buyer made a subjective assertion or profession that he was able to purchase the home.

The reality was however that after an objective assessment, the buyer had to confess that he did not have what was required to purchase the house.

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."  

Mathew 7:21-23 

There is a sobering reality brought into focus here. Many souls have professed to know Christ, but the reality is that He never knew them. That word "know" means 'to stand in an approving relationship with.' (Vine)

In other words, they fell short of being approved for entrance into heaven. They professed to know Christ and even saw the power of God exercised in the name of Christ, but it was all outside of themselves, there was no reality in their hearts.

They saw the reality of the Lordship of Christ at work, but they never submitted themselves to His Lordship.

This is the difference between professing to know Christ as a subjective experience and actually possessing Christ as an objective reality. We fall short of being fully approved when we merely profess to know Him but fail to confess Christ as Lord of our lives. 

In short, we must ask ourselves who is in charge of our lives and our destinies? Do we live life as we please, or are we living to please God by agreeing with Him about what is sinful in our lives?

Do you have a closing date with God?

Is there a time in your life when you agreed to let Him change you into what He wants you to be?

If not, why not make today your closing date with God?

smc