This is a continuation of yesterday’s post, looking at the latter half of this scripture.
“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.’” Matthew 7:21-23 ESV
Many will say to Jesus, “did we not…”
- prophesy in Jesus name
- cast out demons in Jesus name
- do many mighty works in Jesus name
and Jesus will say, “I never knew you, depart from me your workers of lawlessness.
These “many” people will claim to have done works in the name of Jesus, yet don’t know Jesus. According to Jesus these people practice sin, and he will tell them, “depart from me, I never knew you”.
The early disciples did all these things (prophesying, casting out demons, works). What is the difference between them, and the “many” Jesus is referring to?
- Disciples don’t “practice” sin.
- Disciples don’t believe their works are able to save them.
- Disciples are born again.
- Disciples love God
- Disciples believe and therefore obey
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. John 3:36
One can look at Matthew 7:21-23 above and feel like they want to stay clear from operating in the gifts, for fear of being one of the many whom Jesus will say that to. Godly fear is good. But if your assurance of salvation rests in your own hands based on what you do or don’t do, we have problems. It’s not about what you do, but what you believe. And yes, what you do will be a byproduct of what you believe. True believers cannot go on sinning. (see 1 John 3:9) The Bible makes it very clear that works like these are something that follows the believer. So if you are going to fear anything, don’t fear doing spiritual works of righteousness, rather, to not know him should be something to fear – for everyone. Fear God and follow his commands. (Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 14:27) Don’t practice lawlessness, but repent, turn to Jesus and practice righteousness. Love the Lord your God with all your heart. And love your neighbor as yourself. Believe!