Recently, I have downloaded an app to record the legacy of the antiques we inherited. With antiques, the seal on the bottom or maker’s mark can greatly vary the pricing. Two items that are seemingly the same may be priced completely differently. One is priceless, and the other has the seal that makes it valuable. One of the doll’s that I inherited even has a certificate of authenticity. See, when you look at them. the items all look valuable. They gleam is the same, and the beauty is so similar. That is until you realize that only one of them is the real deal. Perhaps as odd, are the items that appear valueless but have the mark of a maker that gives them value.
Christianity can be a lot like this. So many people “look” like they are Christians when they may or may not bear the mark of the Maker. Similarly, Christians can look valueless but have the one trait that matters, the seal of the blood of Jesus Christ.
The Bible is full of both people who appeared holy and were not and people that were holy and did not appear so.
Perhaps that is why we are reminded of the certificate of authenticity in Matthew 7:21-23.
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
What will matter at the end of time? Having the blood of Jesus a your certificate of authenticity matters. No other mark covers the transgressions and provides access to Heaven.