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             “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one 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 in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matthew 7:21-23)

 

            As scary as the passages from the past couple of days have been, today’s is worse. It’s not just that only a few will enter or false prophets are out there. No, the past two days have excluded the hypocrite, the CINO (Christian in Name Only), and the rich televangelist, but leave us safe. At least, we may tell ourselves that. In today’s passage, Jesus takes a tougher stand. People who refer to Him as “Lord” and who perform miracles in His name may also be excluded.

            As with the prophets described yesterday, who thought themselves the mouthpieces of God, some of those who speak the Lord’s name and who do what we would consider great good and miraculous works may have no real connection with God.  Several examples come to mind.

            First, there was Samson. The strong man of the Bible and set apart from his mother’s womb as a Nazarite. He not only broke the Nazarite vow repeatedly, but if I recall correctly, at least according to the text, he only thought of God one time in his life, as he stood bound and blind in a Philistine amphitheater. God answered his prayer.

            Then, there was Nebuchadnezzar. After he repented of his arrogance and God granted him sanity again, he referred to God and seemed to hold God in respect, but did he really turn to God as his Lord? And God refers to Darius the Mede as His servant, but was he faithful to God? Is there any indication that he had turned to God?

            My goal isn’t to isn’t to slam anyone but to give us food for thought. It seems that one can be the servant of God and even receive answers to prayers without forming a relationship with God. Being used by God does not mean one is saved. God answering a prayer doesn’t either. The fruit of your life is what shows whether or not you are a Christian. It’s not about what God is doing with your life, but what He is doing in your life.

 

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