The Scariest Thing I Read in the Bible

Matthew 7:21-23 NLT “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’

When I read this for the first time it changed my perspective quite a bit. For a part of my life, I thought simply knowing about Jesus was enough. The devil and the demons know Jesus is real. The devil has had face to face conversations with Jesus, read Luke 4:1-13. Demons recognize him in the gospels all the time, they’re usually quite terrified.

Matthew 7:21-23 points out the importance of a relationship with Jesus. Prayer, studying the word, and trust are important, not empty works done in Jesus’ name. Just prior in Matthew 7:13-14 NLT “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. That one makes in sad too, how wonderful would it be if everyone found Christ.

Remember this does not change Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. We are saved by God’s grave through our faith in Jesus Christ, nothing else.

Why is this scary? Afterall there is some crazy things and evil ruled the day. Baal and Molech worship sounded very similar to the sick things coming out in the infamous files. To me Matthew 7:21-23 it is scary because so many people think they are doing the right thing, but Jesus points out the are missing the mark. This will leave them with the same outcome as the Baal and Molech worshippers and that is truly scary.

If you are not right with Jesus, there is no time like the present.

-Joseph