Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but GOD KNOWETH YOUR HEARTS: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

Acts 15:8 And GOD, WHICH KNOWETH THE HEARTS, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

Note the quote *intelligent thinking liberals*
So now we know whose side he's on.

The real struggle is the same as it's always been. Christian against the world.

John 17:14 "I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."

He was speaking to the church in Laodicea, yet clearly they did not "hear" Him. On earth they were visible to the mortals, but the implication of these verses is that they were not the children of God.
(did not overcome)

What then did Christ perceive. A bunch of people on their way to heaven - or some not destined to get there?

EG
Matt 7:21f
21 "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 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?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

Thus we mere mortals would have observed these guys going to church.
But the Lord would have known their hearts.

Yes remember Chris there are three alternatives.

11 And for this cause God shall send them *STRONG DELUSION,* that they should believe a lie:

* There is a direct connection between the *working* of Satan and *strong* delusion in the Greek. Viz the same Greek word is used = "energeian" (from which we get our word energy)
Energeian = working or operating.

Thus the energeian of Satan.
And the energeian of delusion/deceit/error, (and a straying from orthodoxy)

Good grief a conglomeration of deviants, Liberals and heretics under one roof, - and the term Christian is used in the same breath???

""Many took umbrage at what they saw as meddling by foreign primates who are imposing their culture and theological interpretations on the American church.""

Aaaww ain't that just so nasty; - fancy asking them to accept the Scripture precepts!!!

Well how about that the "City of Brotherly Love" takes on a new meaning. Sexual Deviancy!!!

The "Religious Tolerance" type legislation and abandonment of morals, is coming to a government near you in Britain too!!!

Satan's winning hearts and minds in western societies today.

Matt 6:
12 And forgive us OUR debts, as we forgive our debtors
NB This means even YOU are a sinner!!!

15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses

Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past *YE WALKED* according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
2:3
Among whom also *WE ALL HAD* our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Matt 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
18:22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

"The late Middle Ages saw the church going through a period of real doctrinal confusion. People were not sure what they believed. They weren't sure why they believed it, either. The result is that the church of the period really lacked any sense of certainty about what they believed and why they believed it. There arose a whole generation of Christians who really didn't understand what the Gospel was all about. That was enormously important for a whole range of things. One of the great themes of the doctrine of justification is this: It answers the question, "What must I do to be saved?" That is a real question for a lot of people. It is an important question. It is a question that needs to be answered. Yet in the late Middle Ages, people weren't certain how to answer that question at all. What must you do to be saved?"
(A McGrath)

Paul teaches in the Word of God
1 Thes 1:5
For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and IN MUCH ASSURANCE; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
= NB Does the Gospel come in power - Yes.
= NB Does the Gospel come in the Holy Ghost - Yes.
= NB Does the Gospel come in much assurance- Yes. (or do you doubt this bit DB)

Also it is written
Hebrews 6:11
And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the FULL ASSURANCE of hope unto the end:

Also
Heb 10:22
Let us draw near with a true heart in FULL ASSURANCE of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

1John 3:19
And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall ASSURE our hearts before him.