Read: Matthew 7:21-23
"Not
everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but
he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” - Matthew 7:22
Some people, at some time in
their past, felt conviction over their sin and decided to believe in Christ.
That is a good step, but only half of the step. Yes, they said the sinner’s
prayer, went to church, talked to God and He continually draws them to Himself.
However, there was no spiritual rebirth. No transformation took place in their
lives.
They may have cleaned up
their act somewhat; but they are still seeking first the world and its
pleasures, rather than seeking first the Kingdom of God. Their mind is carnal
and dwells on earthly things, rather on the eternal matters of life. They
barely squeeze an hour a week out of their busy schedule for God, because their
priorities follow the dictates of the devil, the world and/or their own
pursuits. Their prayer for salvation was only a sentimental occurrence in their
soul and their spirit is still dead in sin. They believe in God and are sorry
for their sins, but they still live a carnal life.
These people are not living
a converted life. They are not saved from the power of sin. They were
double-minded in their prayer and not sincerely ready to give up their life to
God’s control. They changed nothing by praying the sinner’s prayer, or even by
going to church, serving in a ministry, talking to God, getting baptized or
tithing their income. They are just doing good works, and that does not get you
into heaven (Ephesians 2:8, Romans 6:12-14 & 7:13, Matthew 5:27-30). Their
unconverted spirit proves that they are lost and going to hell.
Those who believe and repent
are born again in their spirit, and they seek first the Kingdom of God. They
cannot habitually live in sin (1 John 2:3-6, James 1:12-16, 1 John 3:7-10).
They seek the
kingdom of God first in their priorities. Then God adds to their lives
everything they need (Matthew 6:33). It is their Father’s good pleasure to give them the kingdom (Luke
12:32).
Jesus made it very clear
that His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). God delivered us from the power of darkness and
conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love (Colossians 1:13). We have redemption
through Christ’s shed blood, as well as the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:14). All we have to do to inherit the kingdom of God is to believe that Jesus is the Christ and to truly repent of our carnal ways (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Mark 1:15). Jesus explained
this when He told Nicodemus that God’s kingdom was invisible to most people
(John 3:3). He said that in order to understand it or experience it, a person
must be renewed by God’s Spirit (John 3:6).
Jesus made it clear that His kingdom is not of this
world (John 18:36-38).
When we continue to pursue the things of this world more than we work to
further the Kingdom of God in the earth, that is a pretty clear indication that
our spirit is not born again. We all have to earn a living. However, if we
spend more time, money, energy, resources and mental capacity seeking worldly
pleasures and material possessions than we do in supporting and working for the
spread of the Kingdom of God, it is a clear indication that we are not
eternally minded. Friendship with the world is hatred toward God (James 4:4).
The
parable of the ten virgins gives us an excellent example of good people who all
profess to be saved by Christ. They all took their lamps and went out to meet
the bridegroom. But only half of them had enough oil for their lamp. While the
foolish virgins went to buy more oil, the bridegroom came. Those who were ready
went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. When those who were not
ready returned, they said, “Lord, Lord, open to us!” But he answered, “Assuredly,
I say to you, I do not know you.” (Matthew 25:1-12) They had a profession of faith, but they
were not converted. They knew the Lord, but He did not know them.
Jesus
confirmed this sentiment with Matthew 7:21-23, when He said that not everyone who professes
Him as Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of
His Father. He even points out that people will do many religious works in His
name, but He will declare their good works as lawlessness and He will tell them
to depart from His presence. Conversion has nothing to do with works, but
depends upon believing in Jesus as the Christ AND in repenting of our sins (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
Prayer:
Lord
Jesus, when the
Pharisees asked You when Your kingdom would come (Luke
17:20), You replied that we cannot see it, and that it is already within every
born again Believer (Luke 17:21). Let us truly repent and be born again, so
that we can see the Kingdom of God (John 3:3). Then the Kingdom will truly
dwell within us, because You live within us by His Spirit.
Thought for the Day:
Those whom Christ knows, He has already brought
into His Kingdom. - Colossians 1:13