Matthew 7:21-23: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. 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; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’” (NASB)
Just a thought: Many are looking for the return of our Lord with great anticipation, but the above verse screams out a warning that many, not a few, will be sorely disappointed. How could this be? I believe it’s stated very clearly above; Jesus never knew them. How do you know if Jesus knows you? You know by having in the here-and-now the Kingdom of God within you. In other words, if God reigns within your heart and mind today – manifesting itself outward in ever increasing holiness – manifesting itself outward in ever increasing God likeness, then Jesus knows you.
Are you saying we must work our way into heaven? God forbid! Yet, do not our outward actions reflect our inward heart and mind – does it not reflect the presence which dwells within? If the Holy Spirit is dwelling within you, would not the very natural outward expression be an ever increasing Holiness – an ever increasing reflection of God’s nature?
Coming to Jesus out of a fear for Hell, or out of a fear for the coming global judgment is not the right heart motivation – it’s not the right road to Calvary. This kind of fear is born out of a heart of self-love – of self-preservation, which has its roots in pride. In contrast, the right heart motivation is contrition, which has its roots in humility. You must see sin as sin and desire a cleansing from its defilement, and then, embrace God’s holiness. In other words, you must genuinely repent and desire with all your heart God’s nature, and then, reflect God’s kingdom in your life – in your heart in the here-and-now, i.e., you must be born-again.
Luke 3:7-9: “He therefore began saying to the multitudes who were going out to be baptized by him, ‘You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bring forth fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ (or say you’re a Christian) for I say to you that God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. And also the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.’” (NASB)
Obviously, reflecting God’s kingdom – God’s nature does not dwell in the projection of power, nor with your lips alone. Are you truly saved? Are you known by Jesus – by God? Now is the time to make sure, before you become part of the many that are left behind. 2 Corinthians 6:1-2: “And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain – for He says, ‘at the acceptable time I listened to you, and on the day of salvation I helped you’; behold, now is ‘the acceptable time,’ behold, now is ‘the day of salvation.’” (NASB)
Prayer: My Lord and my God, please expose the true nature of my heart to me today so I can be sure that I am indeed known by You as I should be known, before I’m tragically left behind. Amen and Amen!
Website: www.SoppMinistries.org
The Tragedy of Being Left Behind:
www.SoppMinistries.org/index29.htm
Book: The Portrait of a Christian:
