One day a boy found a potted plant. He saw that this little plant sat neglected next to a trash bin near his home. Out of pity, he took it home to care for it. He placed it where there was ample air and sunlight. He gave it fresh soil and watered it daily. But after weeks of caring for it, it simply did not grow. Finally, he voiced his frustration to his mother. Examining the plant, his mother smiled and said, "Son, it hasn't grown because it was dead, to begin with."

My friends, is our Christian life marked with obedience? Is there a growing love, or a growing obedience to God? If the answer is no, perhaps there was no real spiritual life, to begin with. Jesus said, "Many would say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, have I not prophesied in your name and done great works and miracles?'" And Jesus said, "I never knew you." (Matthew 7:22) Why? Because they were workers of lawlessness (Matthew 7:23). Jesus also said that those who enter the kingdom of heaven are those who do the will of the Father (Matthew 7:21). A life of obedience is the best proof of spiritual life. 

Obedience doesn't earn salvation. But obedience reflects your salvation. We are not saved by works, but we are saved unto works. Friends, we need to take time to examine our hearts today. If you belong to Jesus Christ and if you indeed have a living relationship with Him, it will be marked by growth. It will be marked by obedience. If there is no fruit of obedience, then maybe today, you can still be saved if you will humble yourself, repent, and believe in Jesus.