Matt7:21-23 – Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; LEAVE ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’
This is one of the most disturbing passages in the Bible. How could people who were actively involved in what looked a lot like ministry be unprepared for His coming? On the outside these supposed Christians were more “on fire” than most. Why were they rejected when the great day came? Apparently just having a right belief system does not qualify us for the kingdom. They were also involved in ministry type work, casting out demons and healing the sick. It seems ministry work doesn’t qualify us either. Then what exactly does qualify us for the coming of the Lord? It is all about the heart. Its right there in this passage; just four short words. “I never knew you”. The Lord says that the heart is the key to the kingdom. What the Lord is saying is about passion and love. To know Him is to love Him, not just know about Him. As the coming of the Lord draws near loving Him and loving His appearing is critical. Here is how John Piper describes this.
“The reason I say that these false disciples seemed to love the Lord’s appearing is that they wanted to be included on “that day.” They wanted in. They called Jesus “Lord.” They may have sung a worship song like I did in the 1980s: “I love you, Lord, and I lift my voice to worship you. O my soul, rejoice.” But Jesus turns them away. In spite of all their religious affirmations (about his lordship) and all their achievements (in doing “many mighty works”), he says that their works came from a lawless spirit. They were not humbly submissive to God and his laws. There was a controlling streak of independence. Concerning their worship songs, in effect, Jesus said, “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me”. How shall we love the appearing of the Lord Jesus in a way that avoids this catastrophic result on the day of his coming?”
So how do I know that I know that I am ready for the return of Christ? I must check my heart. I must ask the Lord to draw me to Him that I may run after Him. The answer ultimately is the same as every other challenge that we have, immerse myself in His word and in the Holy Spirit. Read your Bible, read it daily at a set time. Pray in the Spirit, pray in the Spirit for extended periods of time. Those ingredients, the Word and the Spirit will en-flame your heart with a love for the Lord and a passion for His return.
