The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Matthew 7:21-23,
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one 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 in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"
Here is Jesus' acknowledgment and condemnation for those who promote themselves as Christian religious leaders, but who really do not know him. Jesus clearly says that it is not everyone who claims Jesus is Lord are heaven bound. Many are headed for God's judgment with a very dark eternity to look forward to.
Jesus said not everyone who calls him Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven. He did not indicate just how big of a contingency they comprise of all who call Jesus Lord, and, frankly, I personally believe we are all going to be pretty surprised at just how many will be among this group.
There is no question in my mind that the many today who seduce the most desperate of people by promising them relief in the form of wealth, "God's blessing" (if they would but send in their "faith-promise pledge" of a thousand dollars or whatever) are among the group Jesus refers to here. They have slick appeal as they ply their trade with well-crafted mendacity: "God loves you and he doesn't want you poor, now does he? Just send your money to me and he will respond by releasing the floodgates of heaven to enrich you." We have all heard the drill.
I am quite certain that those who promise to others in this life what will only be ours in the resurrection are likewise a part of the group of those Jesus talked about in this passage. Intentionally misleading people by corrupting the word of God in passages like Isaiah 53:5, "...by his wounds we are healed" these people promise others healing of illnesses and infirmities if they would but join up with them, or again, send in their "faith-promise pledge" to fill their coffers. The truth is that, as believers, our bodies are not yet redeemed - they won't be until the time of our resurrection (see Romans 8:10, 23-25). As believers, we are all yet subject to illnesses, infirmities and death.
My point isn't that God cannot or would not answer specific prayers for healing or financial relief - indeed we are instructed to pray in faith for such things. Further, the Scriptures provide us of examples of just such things. However, God has never committed himself to the automatic dispensing of these things. And, certainly not in the manner these charlatans promise them, and particularly, when promised as a quid pro quo that involves the enriching of those that offer the promise!
I firmly believe what Jesus warned us of exists right before our very eyes. I can see it any time I want on some of the "Christian networks" that come as part of the package I receive from my satellite service.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one 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 in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"
Here is Jesus' acknowledgment and condemnation for those who promote themselves as Christian religious leaders, but who really do not know him. Jesus clearly says that it is not everyone who claims Jesus is Lord are heaven bound. Many are headed for God's judgment with a very dark eternity to look forward to.
Jesus said not everyone who calls him Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven. He did not indicate just how big of a contingency they comprise of all who call Jesus Lord, and, frankly, I personally believe we are all going to be pretty surprised at just how many will be among this group.
There is no question in my mind that the many today who seduce the most desperate of people by promising them relief in the form of wealth, "God's blessing" (if they would but send in their "faith-promise pledge" of a thousand dollars or whatever) are among the group Jesus refers to here. They have slick appeal as they ply their trade with well-crafted mendacity: "God loves you and he doesn't want you poor, now does he? Just send your money to me and he will respond by releasing the floodgates of heaven to enrich you." We have all heard the drill.
I am quite certain that those who promise to others in this life what will only be ours in the resurrection are likewise a part of the group of those Jesus talked about in this passage. Intentionally misleading people by corrupting the word of God in passages like Isaiah 53:5, "...by his wounds we are healed" these people promise others healing of illnesses and infirmities if they would but join up with them, or again, send in their "faith-promise pledge" to fill their coffers. The truth is that, as believers, our bodies are not yet redeemed - they won't be until the time of our resurrection (see Romans 8:10, 23-25). As believers, we are all yet subject to illnesses, infirmities and death.
My point isn't that God cannot or would not answer specific prayers for healing or financial relief - indeed we are instructed to pray in faith for such things. Further, the Scriptures provide us of examples of just such things. However, God has never committed himself to the automatic dispensing of these things. And, certainly not in the manner these charlatans promise them, and particularly, when promised as a quid pro quo that involves the enriching of those that offer the promise!
I firmly believe what Jesus warned us of exists right before our very eyes. I can see it any time I want on some of the "Christian networks" that come as part of the package I receive from my satellite service.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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