Heathens are sometimes called Christians or God’s people.
Amos 9: 11 "In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: 12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this." Yes, I understand this verse is speaking of a time not yet come, but the principle applies to these latter days. Not all that claim to be children of God are children of God

Heathens pray
Matthew 6:6 "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." It's ironic that the outline for prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) that follows these verses is what many so-called " Christian faiths vainly pray over and over.

Heathens have God working in their lives too – and are punished!
Ezekiel 39:28 "Then shall they know that I am the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there." God put the heathen into captivity also. Remember how God judged Sodom and Gomorrah for their wickedness.

Heathens have religion also!
Matthew 15: 7 " Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." There has always been those that believe themselves to be children of God that were not. It was the religious that had Jesus killed and persecuted His followers.

Heathens can think God is using them (But many times, Satan the deceiver is blinding them, and deceiving them with false miracles from “God”)
Matthew. 7: 20 "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 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."

Heathens can go through religious routines and rituals.
Luke 13: 26 "Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. 27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me , all ye workers of iniquity. 28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you thrust out." They went to the house of God and but that didn't make them His.

Many are religious but lost. There is only one way to be a child of God — God’s way. “Ye must be born again”

November 11, 2000