I Never Knew You, Depart From Me

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. Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”

This can be a very troubling statement. We all think we are good. We might call ourselves Christians, but that doesn’t always make us eligible for heaven. There is only one way we can be sure. A narrow way; many Christians even believe that God wouldn’t turn anyone away, and that saying the road is narrow is absurd. But, obviously, the road is narrow because God says it is. These scriptures are for Christians and non-Christians alike. A sobering thought, to be sure.

I was watching a video as part of a Bible study I’m doing called Behold Your God. One of the speakers made this statement: Not everyone who says they are a Christian is a Christian. That statement is loaded!

I’ve known for many years that there is only one way to God, through His Son Jesus. Even before I came to Christ I called myself a Christian because I wasn't Jewish or Buddhist or anything else. Many people lump themselves into that Christian category. Some religions claim Jesus is not the only way. But there is no one else. Only one way, truth and life and that is Jesus Christ.  It’s not even about religion anyway, but about relationship. 

It is only through the power of God are we made a Christian, a believer and follower in Christ. We are changed, born again, as the Bible suggests, made whole only by the power of God, not self, not anyone else. No prayer alone will do it; not knowing someone who is born again; not even attending church. We must give ourselves over to Him (that relationship) for this change to take place. I’m sorry for those who don’t like change or are afraid of it. These will never know the power of God in their lives until they shed the pride.

We are all sinners in need of salvation. We are either surface Christians; on the fence or in-depth Christians. We either see God as just somewhere out there loving on people and allowing any lifestyle or within our spirit (by His power) and knowing He is of great magnificence and judgment, besides love. He is ALL power!

It is true that God will receive us just as we are; but he doesn’t want us to stay that way. We are called to repent and believe...and learn the truth...and turn away from our sinful lives...and we all are there before we receive Christ...enemies of God. Only God can do this work in us but we must be willing to set aside all we think we know, or our church teaches, to know what He alone says, through his Word.

The Bible from Genesis to Revelation speaks of Jesus. It is a very interesting study. I just started rereading a book on who Jesus is in each book of the Bible. And surprisingly, in Genesis the whole reason He came is clearly evident...because of the sin of man, which separated us from God...He had to intervene to bring about the birth of One who would save, not by the intervention of man. Only through Jesus Christ. It’s the most narrow way possible, according to scripture. 

I won’t argue with scripture. It is the truth of God’s Word. What He has said, through the writing and words of many different men, empowered by the Holy Spirit, outline His magnificence, His plan for mankind, both the perfect plan and the reshaping of man’s perfection through His Son. Will you be onboard?

Matthew 7:13-14 - Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

A Heart Issue

Ezekiel‬ ‭36:26-27‬ ‭- I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.

I say this a lot! Coming to Christ is not about anything we can do. Our works, the Bible says, are as filthy rags. Our church or denomination can do no more than point us in the right direction. It is purely something that takes place between you and God by the absolute power of God. He initiates it.
You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. (John‬ ‭15:16‬)

It’s a heart issue He deals with. He changes them to turn to Him and receive Him. He then is able to  teach the truth.His power to do this is amazing. Thinking about Jesus’ ministry, His preaching touched some people’s hearts. Then again those religious leaders who knew the laws of the Old Testament would not be changed. They could not humble their hearts to the truth that Jesus preached. So stubbornness can linger in some and prevent God from doing a better thing in those lives.

I was doing a Bible study recently and two things I was reading and something posted on Facebook that morning were all on the same subject...the change of heart by God. It has little to do with us but a lot to do with God.

• ...His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue... (2Peter‬ ‭1:3‬)  
• This power is not given us apart from Christ, but it is in the knowledge of Christ, in our union with Christ, in our communion with him…that we have these privileges and blessings secured to us. - Hudson Taylor
• On Facebook:  https://youtu.be/38yMUYoX38w    (an excellent video)

The Lord your God will change your heart and the hearts of all your descendants, so that you will love Him with all your heart and soul and so you may live! (Deuteronomy‬ ‭30:6‬)

If this all sounds uncomfortable, giving your heart over to Him to change that you would follow Him, know this: sometimes we can fight against this all we want, but sometimes He can break through even a stubborn heart. He did that with me in a split second and I knew without a doubt it was Him because I was resisting terribly until that moment. He did that with the Apostle Paul on the road to Damascus.

Many suggest that leniency for illegals or stricter gun control or a pro-choice option will help change situations. Some causes definitely are good but the root of evil will always be a heart issue and is one which we all have to start out with in life. But Jesus came to change all that. He came to allow us to be born again...it starts with a change of heart to receive Him in the most intimate (not sexual but spiritual) way. We might think we know Him but many really do not because their heart has not changed. Some don’t want to change. I get it. But I’m certainly glad mine was because I can be assured of a life after this physical life is over.

Let me ask this question: Are you absolutely sure you will go to heaven? Remember, you have to remove those works that are as filthy rags from the equation. And if what Romans 3:23 says is true, that all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory, what is left? Think about it.

Psalm‬ ‭51:16-17‬ ‭- For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise.

He Who Believes

John‬ ‭3:36‬ ‭- He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.

Yes, ...God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ‭‭(John‬ ‭3:16‬) ... yes, God loves all people and ...is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2Peter‬ ‭3:9‬) However, He will not wait forever.

Jesus will return someday and by all the signs in today’s world, how there is much disruption, it will be sooner than later (all the more reason to seek Him now while you still have the time).

 

This is why it is important to know Jesus with all your heart, not just what your church might say about Him but what He says in His Word about who He is. 

It is important that one be familiar with the Word of God. This Book shows all aspects of Him, is filled with exciting and interesting accounts (I don’t like the word stories) of people whose lives were changed or destroyed by either knowing or rejecting Him in both the New and Old Testaments. It’s rich with history. It’s rich with encouragement and promises for true believers. It is also filled with admonishment for those who think a life without Christ is okay. God is both loving and judgmental. One will be confronted some day by one or the other.

Jesus will return as a thief in the night. But for those who understand the signs of the times and know Jesus, the Holy Spirit of God will show us in His Word these signs...and He will not come as a thief for us...only those who do not know Him.

John 5:24 - “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

The Vine and the Branches

John 15:5-7 - I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

Cast out, thrown into a fire, burned. Those words should make us very uncomfortable. But then...abide means to sojourn, remain, be held and kept continually, not departing, continue and endure, remain as one (in Christ), to await. Those definitions, so rich, describe a true believer. Read them again, slowly. 

Do we know we are being held fast by the Savior? 

Do we continue in life with Him close by? 

Do we endure? 

Are we sure we are one in Him? 

Do we look in anticipation either for His imminent return or our death that we might have the assurance of heaven and eternity someday with Him? 

Are we sure we have that assurance? 

Oh, that assurance!

I recently heard this statement: Jesus first came as a loving God. I would add to that: to seek and SAVE the lost (that might be you and was me). He WILL return, as the Bible shows us, to pour out His wrath upon those who have been offended by, have not sought, hated or turned their backs on, Him. Jesus’ nature comprises of both grace, mercy and judgment. We cannot be deceived into believing He is only a loving God and that everyone who we believe is good will enter into heaven some day. (This is a difficult but true statement.) 

If we attend a church but do not hear about sin and repentance, are not told we need to turn to Him, but only how much He loves us, we only see one side of His nature and that can be a slippery slope some day. God does not grade on a curve because one might not be as good as that guy, but certainly not perfect, but better than that reprobate next door. We are all called sinners. Adam sinned in the Garden which caused all of us to have to pay the consequences. But...just as one man sinned, another paid the debt. Christ’s blood only on the cross covers us....not a prayer but heartfelt giving of ourselves to Him. But that blood must be applied spiritually to our hearts. 

So...coming to Christ is a heart issue. Sin is a heart issue. It needs to be changed and transformed. We cannot change our own heart; He must do it. We cannot earn our salvation; it must be received from Christ. In Christ alone. We are simply to humble ourselves before Him and receive Him into our lives. Without Him we are NOTHING. We must be abiding in Him. 

There is a very real enemy (the god of this age...2Cor. 4:4) in this world and he’s getting bolder and also more worried! He’s blinding eyes, stopping up ears and turning hearts away from God and turning them onto the things that we would consider good in this world. He is also aware of the times and the return of his Adversary. When this Adversary returns it will be curtains for him and he does not want to go alone. That’s why he’s turning this world against Jesus, the one true God. And why he is causing destruction in many forms today on this earth. Do not be deceived! Look to God. Seek Him while He may be found. He is the vine and we can be the branches.

You are so worthy, Lord. You came to seek and save the lost and I am so grateful for all You have shown and will always show to me. I am thankful for Your nudging and finally Your Holy Spirit power that dwells in me. Praise You for Your love toward all people and Your wooing of them. Lord, remove the blinders of the blind that they might see; open deaf ears that they might hear; soften prideful or hardened hearts that they might receive and know Your power and forgiveness for sin. You.alone.are.so.worthy.

2Corinthians 4:3-5 - But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.