A common teaching among Christians is this idea that you can profess the name of Christ or claim to be a Christian or be fellowshipped in a Christian church and that by doing this we are saved. But I challenge anyone to find scripture that backs this idea or view.
"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." 1st John 1:5-10
We have to "walk in the light" in order for the atonement to act on our behalf. To walk in the light means to repent and keep the commandments. But more that that, if God is the light, then in order for us to be in that light it means we have to follow Him. It means that we have to be sufficiently humble and receptive to Him that we actually receive light and understanding from Him. But you have to get to that point. It starts as baby steps. And just so long as we keep moving forward, it doesn't matter how small the steps are. Even the highest mountains and the greatest distances are conquered one step at a time.
The place to start is to repent, and the process of repentance is a process of progression. As we progress, we gradually become closer to our Father. Simply calling on His name will not change you into the person you need to become in order to be in His presence.
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