The earth is being filled with “Christians” as the day of Christ’s return draws near. Some of these people are genuine, born-again believers, but most of them don’t even know God. They are captivated by a doctrine that speaks of universal love and heavenly blessings. The gospel they learn from says they were all saved at the cross and all of their sins were automatically forgiven, so there’s no need for repentance. They think they are saved, but they are missing the salvation of Jesus because they are walking a thin line that doesn’t stem from the cross.

Not only does this false doctrine rob its followers of the truth about salvation, but it is promoted through the addictive hype of fast-paced worship music that sings of their new life in Christ, rather than giving glory to Christ alone. They are stoked through this music because it leaves them emotionally high. Their faith lies dormant while they engage in works that they assume will lead them down the narrow path and through the Pearly Gates of Heaven.

But emotions have nothing to do with being saved! It’s a thin line that will lead too many down the wide path to destruction. Salvation happens when faith in God brings us to His truth, and it follows with a commitment to Him. Only faith will allow us to believe that God is our Heavenly Father and creator of the universe, and that Jesus is His Son who came to earth and died for our sins, and was buried and raised from the dead to live evermore as our Lord and King. Happy emotions will never convict anyone of the truth; they just make us feel good.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” … Ephesians 2:8

It’s really sad when people think they are Christians and actually expect to get into Heaven when they don’t even know God. Yet, there are so many people out there who prefer to follow an easy, false doctrine about God rather than search the scriptures so they can know and obey Him. Many of these people prefer to follow a leader who professes to know God, and they put their trust in this person and follow his (or her) instructions. And then when they join into the emotional worship at church, they think they are experiencing God’s presence.

The only way anyone will experience His presence is to know Him. And that begins with coming to the foot of the cross and laying down all of our sins at the cross and accepting His grace and forgiveness, and then turning away from our sinful life. But it doesn’t stop there. We need to be filled with His Spirit and then study “His” words of instruction (the Bible) so that we can know Him, and know how to be good disciples.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” … 2 Timothy 2:15

Worship is good, and music is a perfect means to bring us into God’s presence. And yes, it can become emotional as we pour praises out to the Lord, but our praises are to give glory to God and not to make us emotionally high. Our purpose is to seek God and to sing to Him alone. Our purpose is not to make ourselves feel good.

“While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.” … Psalm 146:2

We walk a very thin and dangerous line when we try to live a “Christian” life our way. Remember Cain? He didn’t want to offer God an offering that symbolized the atonement of Christ; he wanted to do it his way—and he lost. There is only one way to Heaven and that is to follow Christ.

“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” … John 10:9

We can sing songs and even write our own songs and promote them, but they are not worship songs unto the Lord unless we know Him, and unless those songs are from our heart to glorify Him alone. Being a Christian means we are born-again into the family of God, and that only comes with repentance and turning away from our old life.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” … 2 Corinthians 5:7

Being a Christian is having faith in God’s salvation, and it means being able to praise God whether we’re happy or sad. It’s not determined by our emotions; our emotions are determined by our salvation.

“I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.” … Psalm 108:3

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