Matthew 7:21-23
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only 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 drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Most surveys show that roughly 68% of Americans consider themselves to be Christians. I wish that were true, I really do…but according to the Word of God, it most likely isn’t. Many claim the name, but few actually own it. Many go to church, but few are actually in the Body. Many “believe” in God and even in Jesus, but then again, so does the devil and all his demons (James 2:19).
Is Jesus the absolute ruler of your life? He is referred to as “Savior” ten times but as “Lord” nearly 700 times in the New Testament. How much authority does Christ have in your life? If He truly IS the Lord of your life, there will be plenty of evidence to convict you. You will live a life that is marked by doing the will of God. In short, you will live a life of obedience to His Word.
Constable once said, “Obedience to the Father’s will determines entrance into the Kingdom, not professed admiration for Jesus.”
We are coming up on Christmas and Easter is on the horizon. Churches across America are packed on these two prestigious days, but I wonder what God thinks of these gatherings? Perhaps today’s passage gives us a rather disturbing clue:
“I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”
Are you a Sunday morning “Christian” or a 24/7 Disciple of Christ? Is your “Christianity” an aspect of your life or the defining mark of your life? Do you pray and praise and pay attention on Sunday, but live however you want to Monday through Saturday? Has your life experienced a radical change since you began saying “Lord, Lord” or does it pretty much look the same except for Sunday mornings, Monday night Bible study, and Wednesday night dinner at church?
We may say we are “Christians”…but do we live like it? As the old saying goes – the proof is in the pudding.
