It's Good to Wrestle With Things

I've been prepping a Sunday School lesson for this weekend based on Matthew 7:13-23.

In particular, one part of this passage has bothered me more than others this week. It's Matthew 7:21-23 which says: ²¹"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²²Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' ²³Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

Here are my hang-ups with this passage, and actually the first one, is a question.

What does it mean to be a Christian?

According to what Jesus said in the above passage, not everyone who professes Christ as their Savior will be saved. Even confessing Him as "Lord" is not enough. Apparently something more is needed.

So if you don't get into heaven on the fact that you call Jesus your Lord, how do you get in?

In Luke 6:46, Jesus gives us the answer in the form of a question. He asks, "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord' and do not do what I say?"

You see, it's one thing to say something. It's another thing to actually go and do what you say.

So, if Jesus is not your LORD, what are you basing your eternity on? Your good deeds? Jesus says that they are worthless.

The only way you get to heaven is based on your belief in Christ as the Son of God, AND your obedience to His will.

Now....wrestle with that for awhile.