I disliked reading the book of Revelation because it terrified me but a Paul Washer sermon made me realize that the scariest text in the Bible (to me) was 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 prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
This refers to us believers; those of us who think everything is perfect between God and ourselves because our prayers are getting answered, we are speaking in tongues, we are healing the sick, always in church, evangelising, tithing, sowing seeds, giving……we are the “Lord, Lord” group. How terrifying to think that all the while you thought you were humbly walking the narrow road, you were actually moonwalking down the broad road.
I fear for us……are we practicing this lawlessness ( 1 John 3 4) which causes our Lord not to know us? Are we doing the will of the Father in heaven? It’s not what you think or feel. Examine yourself (2 Corinthians 13 5) according to the Truth ( John 17 17) EVERYDAY.
Please live according to the whole Truth; not part of it or what makes you feel comfortable.
I’d urge us to write this verse some place where we’d always see it, to admonish us and encourage us. I don’t want to die believing I’d receive “Well done, good and faithful servant” only to hear “Depart from Me, I never knew you”. I’m sure you wouldn’t want same.