Matthew 7:21,22
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; LEAVE ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’”
This verse used to scare me. These are people who clearly thought they were christians, but weren’t. It makes me think of the denominations in christianity who elevate culture over the bible. Many will fall in that category.
The bible is God’s Word. It’s His instructions to us. Deuteronomy 12:32 says, “See that you do everything I command you; do not add to it or subtract from it.” They use love as the excuse. Yes, God is love, but there are things that He prohibits. We are to obey His commands.
There are people who believe the bible, but aren’t loving. Some of those aren’t christians. We have to be born again. Jesus talked about that with Nicodemus. He was a person of the Law, but He didn’t have a living relationship with God. I believe he became a christian, but he wasn’t in John 3.
Jesus says it’s the ones who do the will of His Father. We need to have a living relationship with Him. Do we call Him lord? If so are we doing what He says. God nudges our spirits and pricks our consciences. Do we obey Him?
We are saved by grace through faith. It’s not of works. However if we are saved we will walk in obedience to Him. Not to be saved, but because are are. We are to bear His fruit. Love, joy peace and so on. An apple tree bears fruit because it’s an apple tree. So we bear fruit because we are His children.
Thank You, Lord for saving us and adopting us. You have blessed us with Your presence. Thank You for promising Your kingdom to us.