Edd Sterchi Via Bulletin Gold
Many people believe that all one has to do is claim Jesus as Lord
and they will automatically be placed in His kingdom. On the
other end of the spectrum are the folks who think they can earn
salvation through good works in His name. The debates and
arguments concerning this are endless.
Why not get the answer from the Savior Himself? He settles
the issue in Matthew 7:21-23, 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,
Lord, Lord, have we not..done many wonders in Your name?”
And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from
Me, you who practice lawlessness!”” Let’s note a few important
matters from this.
* Just recognizing Jesus as Lord is not enough. Did you notice
that there were some who called Jesus “Lord”, but they were not
saved? God demands more than just mental acknowledgment.
The head is not enough.
* Just doing something in Jesus’ name is not enough. Did you
also notice that there were some who were doing wonderful
things to honor Jesus, but they too were not saved? Works alone
fall short of God’s formula for justification. The hands are not
enough.
* We become a part of the kingdom of heaven through obedience
to God. If one has such a respect for God and His wishes, there
will be no problem believing Him and doing His will exactly as
stated in His word.
Obviously this involves the heart. The heart that is right and set
on God’s ways will involve the head and the hands in obedience,
as well.
Have you obeyed God’s plan of salvation? Are you
truly doing the will of the Father in heaven? Are you intent on
living the way He has prescribed in the New Testament?
Remember, start with the heart, believe His word, and perform
the will of the Father. “But he who looks into the perfect law
of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer
but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”
(James 1:25)
Groveland, FL