Friday, 14 April 2023

Lord, Lord

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Matthew 7:21-23 Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord!' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in Your name, and drive out demons in Your name, and perform many miracles in Your name?' Then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you. Get away from Me, you workers of lawlessness!'

"Wait!" you shout to Yeshua. "What about grace?" And His response is, "I gave you grace when I called you to repentance." What is grace? (You may recall, I've given you this definition before.) Grace is the God-given desire, ability and power to do God's will. And, because He loves you, He has filled is book (the Bible) with the revelation of His will (and testament) in the form of His commandments. According to this scripture (and the entire rest of the Bible), grace is not a license to sin, but a call to righteousness (which us synonymous with obedience to God).

In fact, according to this verse, driving out demons is no big thing. After all, it is God Who drives them out. We even say they are driven out, "in Your name," rightly acknowledging His authority over them. Then there is this, "performing many miracles in Your name."

If God could use Balaam's donkey, He can probably use you and me. I mean no offense. I'm only pointing out that there is a season for everything. Ecclesiastes 3:1 For everything there is a season and a time for every activity under heaven. God is always love motivated. His love for the sick and hurting takes precedence over His desire to bring discipline to a wayward leader.

How many disgraced pastors are out there? Men of renown, mighty men of God, even televangelists who performed great miracles in His name. God always knows there will be a time to expose what is done in darkness, and in the fullness of time, He does.

Yeshua is preaching here (near the end of the sermon on the mount) when He says, Matthew 7:23 Then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you. Get away from Me, you workers of lawlessness!' These are people who knew how (and were anointed) to prophesy, heal and perform other miracles in Yeshua's name.

To leave the presence of God is to be sent to Hell. That thought should get our attention. The good news is, there is still time to repent. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some consider slowness. Rather, He is being patient toward you - not wanting anyone to perish, but for all to come to repentance.

The last Scripture I want to quote today is actually the very next verse. 2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that day the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the elements will melt and disintegrate, and the earth and everything done on it shall be exposed. Don't wait. That day will sneak up like a thief, and everything will burn. Why not take a moment right now and turn to the Lord? Repent!