Are You In For A Surprise?

Matthew 7:21-23 says, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he 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 perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"

I admit, every time I have read this warning of Jesus I have mixed emotions. I feel a bit of anger at the thought of the liar, Satan, deceiving so many with the very works they do. But they are not good enough to get us into heaven. They will never make us a child of God. Jesus makes that clear. And I have an amount of sadness at the thought of the surprise in store for those who never saw it coming. It will be a shock that will never wear off.

Jesus tells us here that it is the "relationship" that is important, not the works. Works without relationship will not be accepted. A right relationship with the Father, however, will always result in works acceptable to the Father. They still don't get us into heaven. Only Jesus has made that possible. But they are evidence of a right relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ. The WILL of the Father is that we have a right relationship with Him over what we can give or do for Him. (Matthew 5:23-24) And Jesus is not teaching that we must maintain our salvation. Jesus does that as well. In this seventh chapter He says, to those who served fruitlessly, "I NEVER knew you."

This passage is a call to all of us to always "know" where we stand. (1 John 5:13) Many are lost, seeking to do good works to gain a home in heaven. It will never happen. Some are saved, yet their works are not "in the Spirit," but in the flesh. Those works will be consumed as the works are judged... but the one doing them, if a true believer, will be saved. (1 Cor. 3:15) And some are serving in "relationship" with the Father. The work is a result of that growing relationship. It is done by depending on and allowing the Spirit of God to do His work through our obedient actions. The relationship with the Father makes it possible to truly know when He is leading and working. These people are moved more by the relationship then they are the work. And whatever happens, no matter what others may do, they are steady servants... unswayed in their positive, joyful devotion. Are you a true servant, or are you in for a surprise?