Harsh words spoken in love

1/21/021  Matthew 7:21-23  [NIV]

 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’  Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”

 

These harsh words by Jesus were meant to scare the Hell out of anyone who thinks they are a good person.  These imagined followers of Jesus may have missed the memo: All of our own goodness is nothing more than filthy rags in the sight of God.  They will stand in the Day of Judgment imagining themselves dressed up in incredible works of their own goodness, only to discover the awful truth: they have dressed themselves in smelly rags, attempting to bring their own selfish nature into heaven. 

 

Only those who understand that nothing good can ever come from the Me-Me-Me – that self-willing nature that insists on its own goodness – can be truly and completely saved.  We all have a selfish nature that will do or say anything to get into heaven, even become spiritual leaders, pastors, or priests.  But some – perhaps many, only God really knows -- will not come into the light that exposes all our self-righteousness.  This is the same Light that enables us to become the children of God.

 

It is sometimes a long and painful journey walking in the light of God, being constantly exposed and surrendering our own wills every day in order to be in God’s will.  It begins at the Cross where we lay down the burden of our sins and first surrender our own wills in order to receive the free gift of salvation.  But when we stand before God, with hands that are empty of our own good works and efforts, we will find ourselves no longer exposed and naked, but beautifully clothed in the Righteousness of God. 

 

We will finally be changed in that moment into the beautiful creation Christ created us to be and died to enable us to become, and see unwavering approval in his eyes, and hear him say, “Well done…” 

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