Gregory T. Jacobs
 
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Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV)

"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.  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 will I declare to them,  I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness."

I had this question posed to me this morning, and to be honest with you I thought that the answer could go either way.  When I started reading the Matthew 7 passage, I started realizing that many claim to know the Lord, but it doesn't necessarily mean that He knows them.  Beyond just claiming to know Him, it goes on to say that they will prophesy in His name, cast out demons, and do mighty works in His name.  I don't know about you, but that is not some lukewarm, bench-warmer Christian.  Sounds to me that it is somebody that is clearly "Working" the Gospel of God.

The only downfall with that is you can only enter into the Kingdom of God through Grace, and that not of yourself through Works.  It is a free gift that God the Father gives to us through His Son Jesus Christ dying on the cross for our sins.  It is not what we accomplish in life in Christ's name, but rather the relationship that we have with Him, and the obedience and surrender that we exercise to our Lord on a minute by minute basis.

I have to admit this passage above has always intimidated me.  I have had to question myself from time to time through the years as to whether or not Jesus KNOWS me.  I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that He does.  I am assured of this because I walk with God.  I speak to Him and in turn He speaks to me.  I am obedient to Him, and when I fall short, He is right there to pick me up.

I am reminded of the Acts 18:24-28 passage about Apollos.  He was fervent in preaching the gospel message and the baptism of John.  This was the message of repentance.  However, Aquilla and Priscilla took him in and mentored him into the "Full Gospel" of Jesus Christ and the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.  Up to that point he meant well, but he did not have the complete message.

Many proclaim to know the Lord, but does He know you?  It is my prayer that each of you succumb to the ever powerful annointing of the Holy Spirit's FIRE in your life.
 


Comments

Cliff Mitchem

05/18/2010 7:00:24 pm

This passage brings to light a very REAL problem within the church today. Many claim to know Jesus and even work within the church in His name but have no relationship with Him.
The Apostle Paul said that we cannot earn our way into heaven but rather are saved by Grace through Faith and this not of ourselves, it is the gift of God lest anyone should boast. Paul's comments on faith vs. deeds is clearly in regards to coming to Christ at salvation. James would also discuss the issue of faith vs. deeds but his is not in regards to salvation but rather to living for Christ AFTER salvation. Our works (deeds) demonstrate our faith that we have been saved by.
Jesus himself said that He is the vine and we are the branches. Any branch that does not produce fruit He will cut off and cast into the fire.
If we truly know Jesus, then He will know us. But just because someone claims to be a Christian, if their lifestyle does not confirm it and they do not produce fruit, perhaps (not judging them of course) they may need some spiritual guidance and direction to bring them to the "Full Gospel".

 

Ray Henderson

05/20/2010 11:27:10 am

Lots of good thoughts. Salvation is a supernatural work of God. It's not just repeating a prayer or shaking the preacher's hand. When Jesus died on the cross, it was enough. All the works we do will not help us get to heaven.

 



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