Jesus’ words in Matthew chapter 7 is one of the most troubling and frightful  passages of the whole bible to me.  In verse 21 Jesus states, “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…and then I will declare to them, I never knew you;  depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.”   It is a reminder to me that I must take God and His word seriously - “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” the Bible says!   Not that I can save myself, only Jesus can save me and you from our sins - He is our one and only Savior!   But He is Lord too!  And as Lord, He calls me to repentance.   Jesus said, “…unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (cf. Luke 13: 5)

Biblical faith is taking God seriously - His word seriously - His call to repentance seriously.  Biblical faith is seeing God in His holiness (Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory) and coming to the same conclusion as the prophet Isaiah, “woe is me, for I am undone!  Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, The LORD of hosts.” (cf. Isaiah 6)   I like this definition of repentance by Eugene Peterson, “Repentance is not an emotion.  It is not feeling sorry for your sins.  It is a decision.”

Make your decision for Christ - not only as Savior but as Lord!

If not, “Do what you do, but be prepared to accept the consequences.”

In His Service,

Pastor Rodney