Remember Peter’s description of those going to heaven as “scarcely saved” in last week’s message. Here is another portion of scripture we tend to go around. Both of Peter’s epistles focus on making sure you’re right with God through the right channel, that being Jesus Christ. It’s not dependent on man but on faith in the Word of God. Peter said that regardless of what he experienced on the holy mount, he had the Word that lives and abides forever. We must be born again, begotten by the Word. As newborn babes in Christ a person grows by the Word. He ended his books with the warning to beware lest you fall from your own steadfastness. The remedy is to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord.
After this message, we’ll see afresh how much we need grace and how much we need to grow and know the Lord. We’ll see what the Bible says about knowing the Lord and how important it is. The disowned—is that possible?
Matthew 7: 21 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
This is one of the most misunderstood scriptures there is. We have the tendency to read it as though it can be about anyone else but ourselves—anyone but “me.” The truth is that it can speak about any of us. It’s straightforward and that’s why it’s easy to say it about “them” and not “me.” It’s not intended to make us doubt our salvation. It’s also not a bluff. It’s not to confuse us either about whether we’ll go to heaven or not.
It’s simple and matter of fact as stated in verse 21. Not everyone that claims to be a Christian is. Not everyone that comes to church is a Christian. Not everyone that says he believes does. Why can’t you get to heaven if you do this or that? You can be good and not go to heaven. You can be active in church and not go to heaven. Why isn’t it enough? Jesus said only those who do the will of the Father go to heaven. The question then is am I doing the will of God? Are you? Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? Is it our desire to be and do as God wills and wants, instead of what we want?
According to verse 22 many will call him Lord but not go to heaven. Jesus is not stretching the truth or getting things out of proportion. He is concluding the Sermon on the Mount from chapters 5, 6, and 7. He began with those eager to get to heaven and gave them the handbook of how to get right and be right. He taught systematically. The entire picture of what it takes starts with the first part we call the Beatitudes. By calling them such we compartmentalize them, but his first statement is “blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The words “poor in spirit” mean that a person realizes he must humble himself before the Savior and yield his will to the will of God. Among the crowd was the religious group that touted how right they were with God, how much they followed God, and how active they were in the temple. Sometimes if a person is not careful, he can assume he’s saved regardless of how he treats God. Being humbled and surrendered to God is the only way.
The first 6 verses are about judging each other. We’re to take a look within. Verses 7-12 are about seeking God’s help. We can’t save ourselves. We don’t try to be a good anything to be saved. We’re saved by the grace of God, and our relationship with Jesus Christ is what matters. The outward is the fruit of what’s inside. Verses 13-14 talk about the straight and narrow way. Matthew said few find it. Peter sat on the hillside that day, and later his own writings were a reflection of what Jesus said. We get to heaven because of a relationship with Jesus. What we do means nothing without a relationship with him. We need to know him every day. One can go through all the forms and motions. One can be faithful to the church, but if you don’t know Jesus, you won’t get to heaven. What all we do doesn’t get us there. It’s who we know that gets us there!
The people Jesus mentioned prophesied. They called him Lord. They cast out devils. They did wonderful works in his name. Look at my success. I was a singer. I was a teacher. It is possible to go through the motions. It’s a wasted life if you don’t know him. It’s possible to appear to be a Christian but not be one. These weren’t lazy people; they were active; they were achievers. However, they didn’t know Jesus, and that’s the only way to get to heaven. The Laodicean church boasted of its works yet Jesus stood outside the door and knocked. If we know anything in this world, make sure we know our personal relationship with the Lord is established.
Jesus told the disciples that no man comes to the Father but by him. You can’t be wonderful enough. You can’t keep this or that enough. There is no way to heaven except Jesus. That’s why the poor in spirit are blessed—they’re happy. The only way to meet the Father in heaven is to know the Son and make sure he knows us.
This group of disowned people said they did it in Jesus’ name. It’s not by name only. It’s not in word only. It’s not in motions only. Do you really pray? Do you really study and let the Word speak to you? Don’t be fooled. Don’t be disowned. Know him. Strive to know him in a deeper way. Grow in that Grace, and in that Knowledge.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 