“And then I will declare to them ‘I never knew you; depart from Me you who practice lawlessness” (Matt 7:23)
In my book study I have been faced with the fact that simply believing in Jesus is not actually following Jesus, and it has a MAJOR impact on how we spend eternity.
A few verses prior Jesus says, “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.” (Matt 7:21)
Our obedience matters. The way we live matters.
Saying we love Jesus and believe in Jesus and then living contrary to His Word is not following Jesus.
I fear many people have fallen for, what the book calls, a fictitious Jesus and are on a road that doesn’t lead to life even though it may look like life giving to them.
I do not want to hear the words “I don’t know you” when faced with judgment nor do I want that for others.
So, what Jesus are you following (the real or a fictitious Jesus)? How are you living in obedience?