Discuss Matthew 7 Page 15

Skip,

I was reading through your post again because you shared some beautiful things. Sometimes as I'm reading through things, certain thoughts come to mind.

I've been thinking about Jesus saying my sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

Something that really stands out for me is "I know them." I might say that I know Christ, but what's most important is that He knows me. He knows me! He knows you! He knows all that belong to him.

By Him saying "I know them," wouldn't that pretty much guarantee our salvation no matter what?

In Matthew 7:21-23, it seems as though many who professed to know Christ, even claiming to do many things in His name, and Jesus says depart from me, I NEVER knew you.

Now if He says "I know them," present condition, referring to His sheep, saved believers who belong to Him, how would He ever be able to one day tell us "Depart from me, I never knew you?" If He knows us now, He would never be able to later on say I never knew you!

Thanks so much for the things you shared. Definitely thought provoking. The Lord is good!

Salvation (Part 5)

In 1 John 2:18-19, he writes, "Little children, it is the last hour; and according as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come; from this we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they were of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out, in order that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us."

John is stating that those who are of the antichrist came out from the Christian fellowship. He teaches that the reason they chased after false doctrine and a false spirit, not staying with the fellowship of believers, is because they were never truly believers.

Sadly, the same is true today. There are many in our churches professing to be Christians, but who have no desire to hear or obey the truth of God's Word. Indeed, many so-called church leaders are not even teaching the Word of God from their pulpits, because they don't want to lose the numbers of people attending their services.

But the truth from God's Word still differentiates those who are truly saved from those who are just talking and acting like Christians, being devoid of the indwelling Spirit of Christ.

This is what the Bible teaches about salvation. The change in emphasis from salvation by God to salvation by man is part of the apostasy of the last days. Jesus said believers would be known by their fruits, not by their human works ( Matthew 7:16).

Sorry this was long but I wanted to explain why I believe salvation is permanent, cannot be lost!

He also said, in Matthew 7:21-23, "Not everyone saying to me, 'Lord, Lord' will enter into the kingdom of heaven; but the one doing the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? And in your name did we not cast out demons? And in your name did many works of power?' And then I will confess to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, the ones working lawlessness."

You can tell the difference between a true prophet and a false prophet by testing. Compare their messages, prophesies, preaching, spirit, teachings, and works of the prophet with the Bible.

Matthew 7:15-20 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

True prophets teach the word of God.

False prophets teach their own words.

Look at the teachings of Jim Jones of the People's Temple and David Koresh of Waco and compare them to that of Billy Graham and John R. Rice and you will have a clear picture of the differences.

What is the will of the Father in Matt 7:21

Hello, just as a point of clarification, the Bible clearly says someone must NOT deliberately continue sinning and expect to be covered by grace. Hebrews 10:26. Matthew 7:21, Luke 12:10. The Bible contradicts the false teaching of once saved, always saved. Christianity means to follow Christ, if someone claims they were 'saved' and follows the devil and commits mass murder for the rest of their life, there's no scripture that says that person is saved, but it says quite the opposite. Satan is trying to deceive Christians into thinking it's ok to sin, but Jesus said the opposite. John 14:15. So, who will someone believe and follow: the devil, or Jesus?

First, we aren't actually saved until judgement day. Some say we're 'saved' when we 'accept' Jesus Christ into our heart, but no where in the Bible does it say that. What it actually says is to be a Christian is this: Link

A Christian is a Christ follower- it means we are actively following Christ. If we genuinely do that the Bible says our sins will be covered by Jesus's sacrifice and grace. However, just because we become a Christian doesn't mean we're stripped of freewill and become robots- we still have full ability to choose good or evil, to sin or not sin, and we're still tempted by satan. Therefore, some people slip up occasionally and sin, but still genuinely try to follow Christ, however, some do stop, turn and follow satan and follow the evil of the world. That person is not saved and they are technically not acting like a Christian anymore.

Those who claim once saved always saved always fail to explain one simple indisputable verse: Luke 12:10. Jesus tells his followers (Christians) that if they commit blashphemy of the holy ghost they will not be saved. Hebrews 10:26 is another indisputable verse that was talking to Christians, saying that Christianity isn't a license to sin, or a get out of jail free card. Non-Christians who haven't received the knowledge of the truth as it says have ignorance as an excuse and doesn't apply to them.

Here's anther: Hebrews 6:4 - 6:6 and another: Matthew 7:21 - 7:23

The Bible speaks for itself. Only would have to cherry pick around all these 100% clear verses in order to come up with the opposite conclusion.

Satan is behind all lies and he's a great deceiver, so which is more likely: that he's deceiving people to fear God and obey Him more than they need to? Or, is it more likely satan is deceiving people into believing they're saved and it's ok to sin and follow the world?

God bless...

Darrin,

Feeling to reply to your post. I'm not sure what you mean in the first paragraph.

I am replying to your second paragraph. Now, believing "everyone gets everlasting life" is a nice thought and I myself do not want anyone to go to eternal damnation. Just as God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked and wants all to repent from the sins of this world and turn to Him through His Son Jesus Christ. I pray every night for everyone. Even the wicked people in this world just as the good. This does not mean "everyone gets everlasting life" or "no one gets cast into the lake of fire". God is Love but God is also just, pure, holy, righteous and hates sin. Full of everlasting mercy and lovingkindness for you and me. There is only One Judge and we will all be repaid, and held accountable, for our deeds here in this life. What will exactly happen after death I can not tell you. Though I will do my best to live a holy life, separate myself from the sins of this world, produce good fruit of the Spirit, and live for the Will of God to make Him happy. There is a difference of what is good and what is bad. Doing my best to follow in the footsteps of Christ so that I can be sure my name will be in the Book of Life. And not just guess. This is not just me saying this it is over and over in Scripture.

Here are a couple Scriptures that states the lake of fire is for more than just "3 spirits" as you assumed. Also that not everyone shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. If you have problems with these Scriptures I pray the Lord shall Bless you with understanding and truth.

Matthew 7:21-23

Matthew 25:31-46

Revelation 20:11-15

Maybe read the book of Jude. Read through all the Holy Scriptures for wisdom. That your soul shall be saved.

God Bless.

It's not the translation of the KJV bible that lacks merit or credibility, but only people that misquote and mistranslate.

Matthew 7:15 "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."

Revelation 22:18 "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:"

Revelation 22:19 "And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."

Matthew 5:18 "For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."

Psalms 22:1 "(To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David.) My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?"

Matthew 27:46 "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"

Mark 15:34 "And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"

Matthew 7:13: "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat".

If this Scripture is indicative of actual entrances to Heaven or Hell, then the gate to Hell is '1'. And it is a wide gate that terminates from a broad road, so that the multitudes who have rejected God & His Saviour, are able to traverse it.

If you are a born again Christion, you are in the kingdom of God, and will go up in the Rapture. The kingdom of heaver is the 1,000 year reign of Christ and is for those who make it through the Great Tribulation.

Just so you know, many Bible reading Christians don't believe that. Do you truly believe that saying a dirty word is just as bad as committing mass murder? Or do you believe that someone committing violent rape is no different than telling a white lie?

This needs to be called out, because sometimes even Christians use mental gymnastics to pretend that their sins are 'ok'. No, it's not ok. Jesus said to not sin. He said cut off your own hand if you have to, to stop sinning. Do absolutely anything possible to stop it and avoid going to hell. If you ignore Him and sin, that's like you slapping Jesus in the face. If you keep doing it, it's possible you're not even a Christian. A Christian is a Christ follower which is an action. People who enjoy committing sin and following the world will probably go to hell, whether they call themselves a Christian or not. That is the reality that fewer people these days are grasping the seriousness of. Matthew 7:20-23.

If sin didn't matter, why would there even be a judgment day and why would sins even be reviewed in front of God? Sin absolutely matters and every single thing you do to violate God's commands will be judged. Romans 14:12

I think the false assumption comes from misinterpreting a verse. Sin is sin, but it does not mean all sin is of the same severity. That is a false assumption. For instance blasphemy is different than blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Jesus says flat out that you will not be forgiven for the latter. There are more Bible references to prove that sins have different severity. Matthew 12:36-37

God bless...

Thank you for able to read and tweet the Words. God bless!

Hi pamela.

Matthew 7:23. And then will I profess unto them, I ( never ) knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

The key word in this verse is "never".

You can't loose what you "never" had.

They were "never" a blood bought believer.

You can't loose eternal life, If you have it today and loose it tomorrow it wasn't eternal.

If you are a blood bought believer, and keep choosing to sin then you will not be allowed into the Kingdom of Heaven. You are not following His Word.

Why don't we covet what's said to be the best gift? " Charity" Is it because it is as not noticeable and unique?

1 Corinthians 13:2-5, 13. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,

"""and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing"""

Should Charity be accompanied with these other gifts?

Here is where I believe Charity separates it self from speaking in tongues, some of those who do seems to feel they are ahead of the pack.

(( Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up ))

Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

I'm not sure they "always" confirm salvation.

Does The scripture says you know them by their fruit, are you Know them by their gifts?

Matthew 7:22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

And we know the story of Balaam.

I don't think the gifts of the spirit do you any good with out the fruit of the spirit.

Do we always exercise these gifts and stay humble?

If it takes an experience for us to have faith is that really faith?

I very much agree with you Steven. The marriage that God had designed for the union of man & woman on Earth is indeed the clear reflection of the intimate union of God with His people, first Israel & now those under Christ's Blood. When we examine the two (the spiritual & the physical sides of marriage), we do see so many similarities of intimacy, of belonging, dependency, openness, heartache when one is absent, to name a few. And the Spirit of God's Passion is to ensure that the marriage bond remains strong, vibrant & spontaneous, giving special meaning to our call: "Our Father Who art in Heaven". He is more than a Creator Who oversees our lives & activities yet estranged from us by distance - God is our Father Who longs that we look to Him & respond to Him as His very own, enjoying the same intimacy that His Son had with Him while on Earth.

Can we then, with the eye of anticipation & longing, even imagine what the Marriage Supper of the Lamb will be like? Both the Bridegroom & Bride longing for that day, & that waiting & watching by faith finally realized, when faith becomes sight. So what a witness the world has of a Christian marriage: one devised & sustained by God alone; & how important that we present Christ, not only by the Gospel, but also by our lives/our marriages/our God-fearing children, or else, all sense of the knowledge & consciousness of God will be gone.

Dear Connie, You are right in that we shouldn't worship images, but don't let that turn you from the truth. There is a right way to salvation, In fact there is only one way!! And here it is -

John 14:6. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Matthew 7:13-14. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it..

We don't hesitate to believe that.

Hi Richard, The dust that you said returns to the earth is the body I have in mind, it returns absent of the spirit, it shall be raised a spiritual body.

1 Corinthians 15:42-44. So also is the resurrection of the """Dead.""" It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:

It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. Thank you

Thank you Chris on those great verses on fornication you gave. You presented it as a broken relationship between "two" it made me think of a key word in marriage, "Joined". (To be yoked together). That brings me to also think of spiritual fornication, If fornication was any other way than the way you described it, we wouldn't understand the meaning of spiritual fornication. I believe God gives us marriage not just for barring children, but to communicate Christ relationship to the church, and Gods relationship to Israel. Not to mention how would we understand the book of Hosea? We see often in the old testament God called Israel his wife and he was a husband to them. Here is one of many:

Isaiah 54:4-5. Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.

For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. Here is one of many verses Israel committing fornication, Jeremiah 3:8. And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.

For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. Fornication defined properly is essential to understanding scripture.

As with my brothers Spencer and Chris I am confused with your post.

Writing "He that says he loves Christ, yet says he shall die a bodily death, he IS a hypocrite, a liar, a devil, a serpent, a viper, a deceiver and an antichrist." Bodily meaning something to do with, or concerning, the "body". Our physical body. Our physical body is temporal. Unless something like a "rapture" happens at some time, for some people, along with the only two people in history ever to be known of that did not experience physical death. Everyone is going to "die" physically. As in Ecclesiastes:

7:1 A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.

12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Please explain your definition of "bodily". Thank you.

Do you feel comfortable addressing yourself Holyspirit and state something so contuary to scripture? That's scary!!!

PLEASE Explain your comment, this is very confusing

You write: "IT IS SINFUL TO DIE A BODILY DEATH". What are you suggesting here? That we don't die physically? Or do you mean something else? Isn't bodily death a result of sin, rather than the cause of it? Your thoughts are perplexing.

IT IS SINFUL TO DIE A BODILY DEATH. For Jesus Christ IS come in his own flesh (with GOD, having made the whole world to know that Jesus Christ IS come in the flesh, even raised from the dead.) So, IT IS SINFUL TO DIE A BODILY DEATH. He that says he loves Christ, yet says he shall die a bodily death, he IS a hypocrite, a liar, a devil, a serpent, a viper, a deceiver and an antichrist. Any (who are not of the few remaining souls of Israel, being eight,) saying he or she must die a bodily death, IS as the chaff AFTER the harvest, yea, clouds without water; scribes and Pharisees foaming out THEIR OWN shame which is all unrighteousness, without faith, BEING DEAD, walking in darkness while speaking corruption. For VERILY I say unto YOU: IT IS WRITTEN IN THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, and SPOKEN, of GOD: Follow me; and let THE DEAD BURY THEIR DEAD. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him SHOULD NOT PERISH, but have EVERLASTING LIFE. This is the will of him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and BELIEVES on him, may have EVERLASTING LIFE: and I will raise him up at the last day. GOD IS not the GOD of the dead, but of the LIVING. For the living know that they (they, being interpreted, are the wicked, being dead while preaching death,) shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Except those days should be shortened, there should no FLESH be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. THIS mortal MUST put on immortality. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and MANY THERE BE which go in thereat: Because strait IS the gate, and narrow IS the way, which leads unto life, and FEW there BE that find it.

Hi Steve, I believe that you described the narrow path to God's salvation perfectly. thank you

Matthew 7:14 "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

1 Corinthians Chapter 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where [is] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory? 56 The sting of death [is] sin; and the strength of sin [is] the law.

Please pray that the LORD GOD will give me wisdom in the matter of where to go to live. He knows the souls of ALL men, but I am blind. I just want to be free of Satan's children in my next living environment, that I be ALLOWED to THRIVE and be ALLOWED to make choices and be ALLOWED to be a "workman..." "worthy of his meat," and that I be allowed to do the work not just of earning my bread but that I be allowed to do the work needed to make me strong and comely in GOD's Son's Spirit, manner, and way.

My life is vanity in Satan's children's households, and has been for far too long.

But GOD KNOWS where there is a GOODLY place that I may afford to go! He KNOWS where He would hire me next, and the perfect location--that getting to and from that job or those jobs will not be a problem!

Please lastly pray for all of our brothers and sisters in Christ's Father's kingdom (our heavenly Father-- Matthew 7:11-->GOD is our Father!) and for all who aren't yet in the family, but who are abused and poor (in spirit or/and in necessities) and discouraged. Please pray for anyone who may be thinking of comitting suicide. It MAY BE that the LORD GOD will hear our united prayers for these strangers, and that He will send the Holy Ghost to them and save them from that grave, and Hell-bound fate (murdering oneself, cannot repent after you've comitted that sin, neither ask GOD to forgive you, you see?)

I'm praying for you all and the brethren whose prayers haven't been listed on this page as well!

Thank you brothers and sisters, I love you and GOD still answers prayer! AMEN!

The simple answer to your question is repentance and prayer, knowing that only through faith in the Cross and all that it means, do we receive God's grace and mercy. I've been there and done that many times over the years, we've all fallen at one time or another, this is because of our human nature (sin) but I also believe that the Holy Spirit is there through our conscience to comfort us, and convict us when we've gone astray (that guilty feeling) and direct us back to the cross (the narrow road). If somehow we hurt one of our friends and realize our mistake we ask for forgiveness, and if we're genuine in our apology, our true friends will forgive us realizing that we all make mistakes. Throughout the bible we find man falling away from God, as David did with Bathsheba, another man's wife, 2 Samuel 11:3, or Manasseh in 2 Kings 21:14 - 21:17, but through repentance and prayer they again came to know God and all His mercies, and Paul who first persecuted the church became one of the greatest apostles for the church.

Throughout the NT you will read of Jesus teaching starting with Matthew Chapter 5-7, this is the start of Jesus ministry, the Beatitudes and sermon on the mount.

Matthew 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 5:6 "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."

Matthew 7:7 "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:"

I'm just a bible reader I love it everyday and wont and will live the nairew gate

"What he did at Calvary is gonna apply the blood to everyman no exceptions ." So you believe this includes the rich man in hell who wanted water from Lazarus?

To whom will Jesus say, "I never knew you." Matthew 7:23

People weeping and gnashing of teeth, where the worm dieth not and the fire never quenched. Mark 9:42 - 49

You are heretical in what you are saying, and it appears you are knowingly doing this. I doubt I am the first person to have told you of your error.

Hello Paula,

Please don't be angry with me. Your statement of "If you do not warn the wicked you will not be save nor the wicked doer". What do you mean by this? That if we do not evangelize or "warn" then we will not be saved?? We are saved by the Grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. His free gift to us. After which we are bought with a price and are His forever. He will guide our paths. Not by how much we can do to "warn" people, of what I also don't know what you mean, of something. Acknowledging your faith to our Father and Jesus Christ to others is always good. Along with using the Word, Holy Scriptures, or Gospels to lead people to the truth. Of coarse if they will even hear you is the question.

Please don't anyone take this the wrong way that I have anything against evangelizing. They are my brothers doing what our Father has them doing.

Just you stating that "if you do not warn the wicked you will not be saved" is not correct. In my eyes anyway. Jesus Christ states just prophesying, or casting out demons, or many wonderful works may not deem you saved.

Matthew 7:22-23: Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

God Bless.