And so, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God or approve of Him or consider Him worth the knowing, God gave them over to a base and condemned mind to do things not proper or decent but loathsome, – Romans 1:28, Amplified Bible (AMP)

There is a difference between committing sin and being a reprobate. Even the strongest of Christians can give into the temptations of life, but when they do so, God will not cast them aside. Lovingly, but firmly, He will chasten them until they repent and ask for the forgiveness that He stands ready to grant. However, there are many in this world that God has reached out to, and in return for His love they have spit on Him rather than have taken His gentle hand. Some of these people won’t even acknowledge that God exists. These, of course, are the atheists of the world. Others acknowledge God exists, but they don’t like the way He does things. These are the people that don’t like God’s rules or that blame God for all the evil that has befallen them. Still others acknowledge God, and they don’t really have a problem with Him. They just don’t think He’s got the right answers to life’s big questions. Also, God’s goals aren’t their goals. So, they count Him as unworthy of their allegiance, choosing instead to live life in the way that feels best to them.

In all such cases, these people have, in one way or another, rejected God. Sooner or later, God will choose to return the favor, and that is the cold, hard reality of Romans 1:28. There comes a point at which God will give a person his or her last chance to repent. If that person doesn’t take it, God will be done with him or her. As Easton’s Bible Dictionary defines it, “reprobate” means:

that which is rejected on account of its own worthlessness (Jer. 6:30; Heb. 6:8; Gr. adokimos, “rejected”). This word is also used with reference to persons cast away or rejected because they have failed to make use of opportunities offered them (1 Cor. 9:27; 2 Cor. 13:5-7).

The King James Dictionary puts it this way:

Unapproved; rejected after testing.

In essence, after testing someone’s willingness to accept God as Lord and Savior, God will reject that person eternally if that person rejects God in the here and now.

Sadly, there are many who call themselves Christians whom God has rejected. As Matthew 7:21-23 plainly states, not everyone who does mighty works of service in God’s name will be admitted into heaven. 1 Corinthians 9:27 and 2 Corinthians 13:5-7 are additional proofs of this sad truth. As these two passages indicate, we are to test ourselves against the truth of Scripture to determine if we are Christians in name only or true converts of the Savior. Have we accepted the truth of Ephesians 2:8-9? Have we done what Romans 10:9-10 requires? Are we gaining more of the fruit of the Holy Spirit over time (It does take time!)? Do we sorrow, at least a little, when we betray the Lord with our sin? Is our character dominated by love rather than hate and bitterness? Scripture is clear on what it takes to become a true convert. It is also clear regarding the characteristics that a true convert will display.

How do you stand up to the test of Scripture? If you don’t know, it’s time to dive into God’s Word and find out!