Thursday, July 7, 2011
Matthew 7:21-22 Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord," shall enter the kingdom of heaven ... Many will say to Me in that day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done wonders in Your name?" And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!"
JUDGMENT DAY SURPRISE
Judgment Day will be surprising in more than one way. There is the aspect that it will come like a thief in the night. The timing of it will also be surprising. There are some people who will be surprised in a different way on the Last Day -- even many as stated in Matthew 7:21-22 -- there will be people who think that they are going to heaven, but will not go. Not everyone who says to Jesus, "Lord, Lord," shall enter the kingdom of heaven ... Many will say to Me in that day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done wonders in Your name?" And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!"
It is not enough to be able to say the name, "Jesus," or know Him as a historical figure. You will be not be able to say on Judgment Day, "Let me into heaven because I know the Lord's Prayer. I know fifty Bible passages and several hymns. I taught Sunday School. I was a preacher." Showing Jesus your confirmation picture or certificate is not proof of faith, and that in itself will not stand up for you on the Last Day. Even doing wonders is not enough to warrant salvation. We're told in the Scriptures that the devil himself can appear as an angel of light.
True faith is not an intellectual exercise. It is not something to be learned like math or science -- in that we learn the facts and then are satisfied. Words that cross your lips are meaningless if Jesus is not in your heart.
The reality is that salvation relies on the object of our faith, the source of all goodness, Jesus Christ. When Christ is involved with your heart, then only the mouth will be confessing Jesus' name, but hands, feet and the rest of the body will be working toward glorifying Him as well. When Jesus is in your heart, there will be no surprise on Judgment Day. He will receive you into heaven as He has promised.
Because Jesus is the Author and Finisher of your faith, He will not say to you on Judgment Day, "Depart from Me." Rather He will say, "Well done good and faithful servant ... Enter into the joy of your Lord."
