WEEK 2 - SUNDAY
Bible Reading: Mt 7:15-23
We have made it clear that the kingdom is the time when God will reward Christians according to their works. In the kingdom, faithful Christians will be rewarded and unfaithful ones will be punished. Many people think that if a Christian is unfaithful, even if he has to occupy a lower position, he will still be inside the kingdom.
Many who do not understand the Word of God and the work of God think that their entry into the kingdom of heaven is guaranteed. They think that when the Lord Jesus comes to reign, there will simply be a distinction between the highest and the lowest positions in the kingdom; that no one will totally lose the kingdom of heaven. However, in the kingdom of heaven, there will not only be a distinction between the highest and the lowest positions, but also a distinction between being allowed in and being left out.
The Bible shows us that there is a clear difference between ten cities and five cities, between a great crown and a small one, and between greater and lesser glory. As one star differs from another, so also will the positions in the kingdom be different. There will not only be differences between the lowest and the highest positions in the kingdom, but also a distinction between being qualified or not to enter.
DOING THE WILL OF THE FATHER
The Bible reveals to us a very serious truth. Although a person may have eternal life, he can still be rejected from the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 7:21 is a verse that speaks of this: "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".
In this verse, all the people address the Lord as "Lord". The Lord will make a distinction between the disciples who can enter the kingdom of heaven and those who cannot. The Lord clearly shows us here that the condition for entering the kingdom of heaven is doing the will of God. Although some have been saved and have called Him Lord, and have done some works, yet, without doing the will of God, they cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.
The reward of the kingdom of heaven is based on man’s obedience. Whoever is not faithful while living on earth will not lose eternal life, but he will lose the kingdom of heaven. When the time comes for the heavens to reign, that is, when the Lord Jesus comes the second time, some will not be able to enter the kingdom, but will lose it.
First the Lord mentioned this subject in verse 21. Then, in verses 22 and 23, He explained the matter to us in the form of prophecy. There will be many, not just one or two, who will not do the will of God. "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 declare to them: I never knew you. Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness".
Here the Lord Jesus tells us what will happen before the judgment throne. He says: "On that day"; therefore, this does not refer to today, but to the future. There are many who labor, but who do not see the light of God in their lives. When the time of the judgment throne comes, and when Christ begins to judge starting from the house of God, these Christians will have light for the first time. They will see that they are wrong in their position and in their living.
On that day, before the Lord, many will say: "Did we not prophesy in Your name? and in Your name cast out demons? and in Your name perform many miracles?" In a single sentence, the expression "in Your name" is mentioned three times. This proves that these people belong to the Lord. The fact that they say: "Lord, Lord", proves that their position is that of a Christian. They not only say that they prophesy, cast out demons, and perform miracles, but they do these things in the Lord’s name. The mention of "in Your name" three times shows us their relationship with the Lord.
Surprisingly, the Lord tells them: "Then I will declare to them: I never knew you". Because they do not understand the meaning of these words, many think that such people are certainly not saved. But if they were not saved, then the Lord’s word here would have no meaning.
Matthew 7 is the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, continuing the Lord’s word concerning the beatitudes. These words on the mount were spoken by the Lord Jesus to the disciples. After the Lord had gone up on the mountain, His disciples followed Him, and from chapter 5 to chapter 7, He opened His mouth and began to teach them.
Enjoy more:
Hymn - "The heart cannot understand"
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