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Reading through the Gospels 71

Matthew 7:21-23

Matthew 7:21-23 I NEVER KNEW YOU

Oh my!  How scary to imagine getting to the gates of heaven and hearing from God the words, "I never knew you; depart from me." I do not even want to think about such a final rejection.  Jesus warns us, in the Sermon on the Mount, that not everyone who talks about Jesus and the Bible will get into heaven. Walking around publicly praying, Lord, Lord" so that others will hear you will not get you into heaven. Doing things in the name of the Lord (i.e. casting out demons, mighty works) will not get you into heaven. Pretending to have piety does not get you to heaven. These people never have had faith because Jesus says "I never knew you." Merely professing faith is not sufficient.  George Swinnock (a Puritan) said, "There are many men like ponds, clear at the top, and mud at the bottom; fair in their tongues, but foul in their hearts." 

 

Jesus is more concerned about our "walk" than our "talk."  There is a saying, "if you're going to talk the talk, you've got to walk the walk."  Talk is cheap.  Don't talk a good game, play it. Walk the talk. Ben Franklin has said, "well done is better than well said."  Sounding religious does not get one to heaven.  Faith in Jesus Christ and all the fruit that follows faith is what gets us to heaven. There is a long distance between the tongue and the heart.  Is Jesus only in my talk or also in my heart? Don't give my heart to Jesus in pieces.  He gives me His all in all. He should get my all in all.