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I Never Knew You


          “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!’ (Matthew 7:21-23)
 
           Some people emphasize God's love and mercy. God is their friend. I've been told by people that they would never worship a God who was  ___________ . Others have said that the god they worship is _________ not _____________. Of course, they get to define the terms and determine whether or not God fits into any of those categories. The problem with these statements is that the person who says them is claiming lordship. They get to decide what God is permitted to do. They get to decided whether or not he has lived up to their standards.
          Some people see the offer of salvation as something that can be had for "believing" without bothering with something as inconvenient as God's Lordship. Some people believe that if they do more good than evil (according to their definitions thereof), or enough good, that they have a right to heaven.
         Today's passage suggests that "believing" isn't enough. Prophesying and driving out demons in Jesus' name aren't enough. Jesus bluntly said that He never knew them. Even though they called Him, "Lord," He was not their Lord. The thing about lordship is that it's an all or nothing thing relationship If God is the Lord, then He is the Lord. He sets the rules. If He is Lord, then He is Lord even if He does something of which you disapprove .  

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