What does this mean?

[SamanthaB]

Matthew 7:21-23
21"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. 22Many 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?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

How do you know if you are doing the will of God? How do you know you will get into Heaven? Who was he talking about?

Sorry this has been on my mind the past couple of days and could really use some perspective on it.

 

[Bobinator]

This is in reference to Christians that think they’re going to heaven, but are not because they do their own thing, come up with their own ideas, do good works, etc, all to glorify themselves and not the Lord. It’s easy for a person to say they’re doing things for God, but the truth is that it is done to make them look good and to bring upon themselves recognition, the admiration of man and prosperity. The frightening thing is, some of these Christians can perform miracles too in the Lord’s name.

I’ve know gifted men and women of God that were living in sin, or committed sinful acts but were still able to operate in the gifts. This is why it is so important to judge the works of man according to the fruit it bares. Satan can also deceive us with signs and wonders. So, the only way to judge a true Christian is how much fruit they bare in the spirit, not on the signs and wonders.

Galations 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

That is why Jesus said this-

Mark 10:18- “And Jesus said unto him,Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.”

In other words, nothing we do or say is “good” unless it comes from God and that he specifically tells us to do or say a particular thing that bares witness to his name.

As servants, our responsibility is to seek the will of our Lord, not do our own thing according to the desires of the flesh and hope that God will bless it. There are many preachers out there that deliver feel-good messages to tell the people things they want to hear to gain popularity and personal gain, but never preach repentance, turning away from sin and walking in the Spirit of God like what John the Baptist, Jesus and the Apostles preached.

 

[BrotherDave]

This is in reference to Christians that think they’re going to heaven, but are not because they do their own thing, come up with their own ideas, do good works, etc, all to glorify themselves and not the Lord. It’s easy for a person to say they’re doing things for God, but the truth is that it is done to make them look good and to bring upon themselves recognition, the admiration of man and prosperity. The frightening thing is, some of these Christians can perform miracles too in the Lord’s name.

I’ve know gifted men and women of God that were living in sin, or committed sinful acts but were still able to operate in the gifts. This is why it is so important to judge the works of man according to the fruit it bares. Satan can also deceive us with signs and wonders. So, the only way to judge a true Christian is how much fruit they bare in the spirit, not on the signs and wonders.

Galations 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

That is why Jesus said this-

Mark 10:18- “And Jesus said unto him,Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.”

In other words, nothing we do or say is “good” unless it comes from God and that he specifically tells us to do or say a particular thing that bares witness to his name.

As servants, our responsibility is to seek the will of our Lord, not do our own thing according to the desires of the flesh and hope that God will bless it. There are many preachers out there that deliver feel-good messages to tell the people things they want to hear to gain popularity and personal gain, but never preach repentance, turning away from sin and walking in the Spirit of God like what John the Baptist, Jesus and the Apostles preached.

I think Bobinator "hit the nail on the head."
God's ways are not ours and we have to listen to him through prayful study of his word alone. There is only one true gospel in the world that provides salvation (Gal 1: 9, Eph 4:14). This is why we have the warning in Matt 17 and many other places (Matt24, Phil 3:18). The fact is today the gospel is spreading throughout the world faster than ever. God told us that this would happen as the end times draw near (Matt 24:14). He also told us that judgement would start with the churches, his house (I Peter 4:17, II Thess 2:4,2 Cor 11:13-15) because they should have known better than to be led astray (Mat 15:8). But they chose to believe in a gospel that put them in control one where they feel loved, peaceful and secure (2 Tim 4:3). They have no worries so are not watching for Christ's return and they will will taken by surprise (Matthew 24:37-39,Luke 17:28-32).

Salvation is found in the bible alone (Ro 10:17). It is by God's grace alone that anyone is saved. If He has saved us then we should have an intense inner desire to study his word and keep his commandments (1 John 2:3, Col1:10) while truly feeling terrible if we fall into even the smallest sin. This is why it is so important to spend time reading the bible. There is nothing more important an expecting mother can do. As she reads silently or out loud she is putting her new baby in an environment in which God works and he can saved someone any time he chooses (from the womb - John the baptist to just before death - thief on the cross).

God Bless.

 

[PROPHECYKID]

Matthew 7:21-23
21"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. 22Many 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?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

How do you know if you are doing the will of God? How do you know you will get into Heaven? Who was he talking about?

Sorry this has been on my mind the past couple of days and could really use some perspective on it.

Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

These people have two problems. They practice iniquity and God does not know them. Iniquity is sin. Sin is lawlessness. Sin is the transgression of the law.

1Jo 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

But also Jesus said that he never knew them. Maybe that is because of the iniquity.

1Jo 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
1Jo 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

These peopl are lairs. They don't know God. The law is kept in the heart first. That is what God looks at. The heart. Once your heart is with him you shall do his will. If you have a heart of love you shall know him.

Rom 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Rom 13:9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Rom 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

 

[fritz300]

The people who will cry are those who never kept the commandments.

Just as PROPHECYKID stated, 1 John 2:3 & 2:4 say it all.

Keep the commandments and walk in covenant with God, this is how you KNOW Him.. intimately. This means all the commandments, by the way, not just some of them.


Regards,
Zak

 

[Easyrider]

Matthew 7:21-23
21"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. 22Many 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?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

How do you know if you are doing the will of God? How do you know you will get into Heaven? Who was he talking about?

Sorry this has been on my mind the past couple of days and could really use some perspective on it.

(ROMANS 8:35-39)-NLT
35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love?
Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble
or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold
or in danger or threatened with death?
36 (Even the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are
killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.&#8221
37 No, despite all these things, Overwhelming Victory
Is Ours Through CHRIST, Who Loves us!!
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate
us from HIS Love. Death can’t, and Life can’t.
The Angels can’t, and the Demons can’t.
Our Fears for today, our Worries about tomorrow,
and even the Powers of Hell can’t keep GOD’s Love Away.
39 Whether we are high above the sky or in the
deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be
able to separate us from the love of God that is
revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

[Slothapotamus]

Matthew 7:21-23
21"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. 22Many 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?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

How do you know if you are doing the will of God? How do you know you will get into Heaven? Who was he talking about?

Sorry this has been on my mind the past couple of days and could really use some perspective on it.

Some of the replies I've seen so far to this question have been a bit legalistic in nature (I'm not saying they're wrong though. They're just coming from a works based mentality). Personally, I believe that the people Jesus was talking about are people who never really made a commitment to follow Him. I don't think he was speaking about Christians who've sinned. Paul says in Romans 10:9-11;

" ...because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” "

I think what you're really looking for here is assurance of your salvation. I've been where you are. I would think I was saved and then one day, wham!, I'd come across one of these problem verses and doubt my salvation. It would take me weeks to recover sometimes.

If you've done the above, as Paul describes, then you are saved and as long as you continue to believe then you won't lose your salvation. 1 John 5:13 says,

" I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. "

I hope that helps clear your mind up.

 

[Standing Up]

Matthew 7:21-23
21"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. 22Many 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?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'


These are they who strive to enter or remain within by their works, their righteousness, instead of Christ's work. The earliest contrast is Genesis 15:6 versus Deuteronomy 6:25.

The Apostle Paul made the contrast at Philippians 3:2-11, especially v. 9.

One doesn't get there or stay there by one's own works, but by His. So also rest assured in Him.

 

[Bobinator]

Take note that the people Jesus was talking about prayed for people and were instrumental in doing miracles. These are not those who were not committed to something, or had sudden doubts about their faith. They did things to benefit themselves, thinking they were doing works for God. There are many out there who operate in spiritual gifts, but twist the gospel to tickle the ears of their listeners for personal gain. You'll get good examples just by turning on your television set. Having the gifts of God doesn't mean you're pleasing Him. Balaam was heavily annointed.

A few years ago, a mission team in my church video taped an interview with a 19-year old village girl in Fiji who had the priviledge of going to heaven and hell. She testified seeing many pastors in hell. She also relayed a message for pastors to not change the gospel, or risk the same fate.

 

[TheCub]

It means that Faith without works is dead.....knowing and believing that Jesus is God and Savior is not enough:

"…So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead……..You believe that God is one. You do well. Even the demons believe that and tremble. Do you want proof, you ignoramus, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by the works…" …….. (Cf. James 3:14-26)

 

[onwingsaseagles]

Matthew 7:21-23
21"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. 22Many 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?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

How do you know if you are doing the will of God? How do you know you will get into Heaven? Who was he talking about?

Sorry this has been on my mind the past couple of days and could really use some perspective on it.

He is speaking to people that claim christianity but live in open sin such as those that believe in the doctrine of OSAS and think that they can continue in chronic unrepentant sin and still get into heaven Jesus is speaking towards those people.

 

[theMormon]

It means to me the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy in Isaiah 29, who saw the day when Christians will have fallen away from the truth--in a deep sleep, along with their leaders; who deny the truth of a new book of scriptures that the Lord brings forth in our day; who are Christians who "draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men"; who fail to accept the "marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the undersanding of their prudent men shall be hid."

 

[Isaksson]

I believe that anyone who believes in the Son of God is saved.

People often say "Jesus is God". Do You believe that or do You know that?

That is the question.

There is nothing wrong with knowledge, but when talking about christ and confessing christ it should be done by belief and not knowledge.

That is atleast what i believe.

 

[calluna]

Matthew 7:21-23
21"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. 22Many 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?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

How do you know if you are doing the will of God? How do you know you will get into Heaven? Who was he talking about?

He was talking about people who know what they are doing. The mature Christian elder can quickly identify them from their behavior (and their posts) as false teachers. If you are worried that you are one of them, you aren't one of them. These people are the worst kind, because they have no conscience, and realise full well that they are going to eternal destruction. They just can't help themselves. Though when they find out how bad it's going to be, they will wish that they had helped themselves, and will spend eternity wishing it. Their easy lives in this world will seem like just ten minutes, a dreadful bargain with the devil.

'The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.' 1 Ti 4:1-2 NIV

 

[Maranatha27]

There are sadly many people today who are christians in name only, never being born again. No second birth=second death

 

[chosenpath]

Matthew 7:21-23
21"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. 22Many 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?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

How do you know if you are doing the will of God? How do you know you will get into Heaven? Who was he talking about?

Sorry this has been on my mind the past couple of days and could really use some perspective on it.

Thank God he always gives us example in his word.
Acts 8:9-24
But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the great power of God."And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time. But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit."But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!"You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God."Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you."For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity."Then Simon answered and said, "Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me."

 

[brinny]

This is in reference to Christians that think they’re going to heaven, but are not because they do their own thing, come up with their own ideas, do good works, etc, all to glorify themselves and not the Lord. It’s easy for a person to say they’re doing things for God, but the truth is that it is done to make them look good and to bring upon themselves recognition, the admiration of man and prosperity. The frightening thing is, some of these Christians can perform miracles too in the Lord’s name.

I’ve know gifted men and women of God that were living in sin, or committed sinful acts but were still able to operate in the gifts. This is why it is so important to judge the works of man according to the fruit it bares. Satan can also deceive us with signs and wonders. So, the only way to judge a true Christian is how much fruit they bare in the spirit, not on the signs and wonders.

Galations 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

That is why Jesus said this-

Mark 10:18- “And Jesus said unto him,Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.”

In other words, nothing we do or say is “good” unless it comes from God and that he specifically tells us to do or say a particular thing that bares witness to his name.

As servants, our responsibility is to seek the will of our Lord, not do our own thing according to the desires of the flesh and hope that God will bless it. There are many preachers out there that deliver feel-good messages to tell the people things they want to hear to gain popularity and personal gain, but never preach repentance, turning away from sin and walking in the Spirit of God like what John the Baptist, Jesus and the Apostles preached.

I agree with you...but here is the rest of the story, and everything our future with or without God depends on....those words from Jesus the Christ.."Depart from me, for i never knew you..." It's this "knowing" that's the stickler. In Revelations Jesus tells one of the churches....return to your first love or i will remove your lamp from its lampstand....now what does that mean?

It is this...love God with all that is within you....first and foremost.....it is only that...all else flows naturally outward after we are in a relationship with Abba. In the old testament God says...your singing, your worshipping means nothing to me...elsewhere He says to those who are neither hot or cold, but lukewarm, that He will spew them out of His mouth....

nothing we do for God matters. It's the heart. If our hearts are not in love with Him, and we do not long to see His face, pant after Him as a hart panteth after water, and do not seek to know Him.....all else is nought...even if we say we do it all for Him....

Our thoughts should be on Him....bringing a smile on His face....doing what would please Him....

we are not to use Him just for what He can do, but to love Him above anything He can do.....love Him above even heaven or where we will go after death....

it's about His heart and it's about our heart, beating as one with His......about already knowing Him and delighting in Him before the time comes when Jesus will separate the goats from the sheep....and say to some.."Depart from me for i never knew you"

it's about right now and what/who resides in our heart of hearts. Do we really know Him?

 

[Isaksson]

If you believe in Jesus you are saved.

All you need to do is put your faith in Jesus and you are saved.

the decree of judgement is allready fallen: with the messurement you use to judge the same messurement will be used against you.

i believe that everyone who believes in Jesus is saved by grace.