By GFI Board Member, Nancy Pettit
Do you ever meet people who claim to be a Christian, but in your discussions with them they do not seem to know God’s attributes, his redemptive promises, or his authority over all of life? Jesus himself does make a distinction whether you are a true, obedient follower of God’s ways.
In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me ‘Lord, Lord’ did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from me you workers of lawlessness!” Sin is lawlessness. (1John 3:4)
Jesus is being bluntly honest. How you relate to him and the Father, will determine whether you will have a future in the heavenly kingdom. Do you do the Father’s will commanded in the Bible or follow your own will? Do you ask what works of mercy to do or act independently of him? Do you treasure God and his Word which tells of life’s standard of love, goodness, truth, justice, and righteousness? Or do you let the culture define what a good moral life is and expect all to go to heaven?
Hopefully, you will ponder the passage from Matthew 7:21-23. Are you a true worshipper, lover, and follower of Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Do you do the will of the Father like Jesus? The Apostle Peter, in 2 Peter 3:17-18, gives this advice: “..take care that you are not carried away by the error of lawless people and lose your stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”