Tag: Salvation

Depart From Me

~ A Prayer Life ~ 2 Comments

“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... And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me…”

~ Matthew 7:21 & 23 (NKJV)

What greater tragedy could there be than on the last day, believing you are going to heaven, to hear the Lord Jesus utter to you the words, “Depart from me, I never knew you”? I think what Jesus is trying to teach us here with these stark words is it isn’t enough to simple say you’re a Christian. It isn’t enough to say you believe in Him and follow Him. Jesus doesn’t accept mere lip service. It is he who does the will of the Father who enters into Christ’s kingdom. Jesus doesn’t want your words, He wants you. So not everyone who merely says “Lord, Lord” or “Jesus I know you” is saved, but those who truly and sincerely desire to love and serve Him.

Jesus wants people who are completely dedicated to following Him. He is seeking true disciples. Those who want to learn from Him, be like Him and be with Him. Jesus wants the confession of our mouth to match the character of our life. If we say Lord Lord, if we confess to know Him, then He desires for our life to show it. He wants our faith to be reflected in our good works. And Christ warns us, if we merely acknowledge Him with our lips, but don’t live for Him by faith, then we are in jeopardy of hearing those eternally frightful words from the Lord, “Depart from Me, I never knew you”.

~ apl

A Finished Work

~ A Prayer Life ~ 1 Comment

“Being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.“

~ Philippians 1:6

God does not leave us unfinished, half done, incomplete Christians. He who began the good work of salvation, finishes that glorious work until the day of Christ Jesus. What the Bible is teaching us here is that God does not forget nor forsake those He calls to Himself. That once we are called unto salvation, God through Christ, ultimately sees us through to the end. The work of salvation is a persevering work. And this beloved is where our assurance and our hope stem from – from the goodness and grace of our God.

~ apl

No Condemnation

~ A Prayer Life ~ Leave a comment

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus…

~ Romans 8:1 (NKJV)

“It is the unspeakable privilege and comfort of all those that are in Christ Jesus that there is therefore now no condemnation to them. He does not say, “There is no accusation against them,” for this there is but the accusation is thrown out, and the indictment quashed. He does not say, “There is nothing in them that deserves condemnation,” for this there is, and they see it, and own it, and mourn over it, and condemn themselves for it but it shall not be their ruin. He does not say, “There is no cross, no affliction to them or no displeasure in the affliction,” for this there may be but no condemnation. They may be chastened of the Lord, but not condemned with the world. Now this arises from their being in Christ Jesus by virtue of their union with him through faith they are thus secured.”

~ Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible

Between The Divine & Dust

~ A Prayer Life ~ 1 Comment

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus

~ 1 Timothy 2:5 (NKJV)

In order for both God and man to be equally represented, the Mediator needed to be able to relate to both parties. And only Jesus, as the God-man could do that. Only Jesus meets the requirements of a sufficient representative, or Mediator, between God and man. Why? Because He alone is both God and man. Jesus alone could mediate between the divine and the dust. Because He alone fully and perfectly represents both.

~ apl