Lately I have been meditating on Matthew 7:21-23.
It’s sobering that a so-called teacher or disciple of Christ can profess Christ and accomplish “mighty works” yet still be unknown to God. Jesus himself said that there will be people who preach, heal and do amazing things in his name yet on that final hour be shut out.
I’ve often wondered why God seemingly lends His approval to so-called “ministries” or meetings that are clearly operating in some falsehood. These verses tell us that Jesus is not unaware. I’m convinced that in His mercy He blesses in spite of not because of.
The Bible tells us that ‘delusion‘ of the highest form is possible in service to God. Not only are we to be on guard against everything that does not line up with sound doctrine but as Paul admonished the Corinthians , “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith.” (2 Corinthians 13:5)
“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. On that day ‘many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do may mighty works in your name? And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” (Matthew 7:21-23)
Linda says
This is very sobering indeed. Many will come saying Lord, Lord. Those who come will think they are saved. But Jesus NEVER knew them. Lord open our eyes to this sobering truth.
Thanks and blessings!
Linda
Paul says
Thanks, Christina. These words are for us and for everyone who names the name of Christ as Lord. Appreciate the admonition here.
How would you align your thoughts here in Matthew with Paul in Philippians 1:15ff?
“It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.”
joe says
Paul,
I read your comments to Christina. I would say that Philippians 1:15 and Matthew 7:21 are speaking on two different issues. Philippians speaks of Paul’s rejoicing that those who are preaching the Gospel are doing so not from pure motives. They were not preaching a false Gospel otherwise Paul would have said “Let them be accursed” as he did in Galatians. Many preach with selfish motives and not from the pure love of Christ yet they do preach somewhat a true Gospel. It is the Gospel that has power to save not the preacher. For that Paul rejoiced because he know that the message of the Gospel has power unto salvation to all who believe.
Matthew 7 is speaking of someone who is a false prophet not a true believer. They are not preaching the True Gospel but a false one. Thus most likely making false disciples. People such as Joel Osteen, T.D.Jakes, Kenneth Copeland, Fredrick Price, Creflo Dollar, Todd Bentley, Marilyn Hickey, the list goes on. These people are preaching a false gospel that is no gospel at all. It is a Gospel that addresses the flesh (what I can get from God), and not a Gospel that addresses sin (Repentance). These people are wolves in Sheep’s clothing and they think they are truly Christians but when they stand before our Lord they will hear “Depart from me I never knew you”.
One has to do with people preaching the true Gospel with insincere motives, the other has to do with false prophets preaching a false gospel with sincere motives. Sincerity is not going to cut it either way. This is what I believe to be the differnc between the two verses.
God Bless
Paul says
Hi Joe:
Thanks for your thoughtful response! I wholeheartedly agree and there is but one Gospel. Paul makes this abundantly clear (Gal. 1). I suppose what I was picking up from Christina’s post was the notion that “in His mercy He blesses in spite of not because of.” The passage in Philip 1:15ff came to mind how God uses imperfect means (I suppose we all fall into that bucket!) for His purposes. Surely, one can have the wrong motive but the right message. Truth has a way of getting through to the thickest of us all!
Selah!
Janet says
Thanks Christina. This is an area that has troubled me for a long tme. Not so much about others, but myself. I don’t want to be on some performance treadmill. I so much want to serve God and please Him in spite what others think of me.
Christina says
I would also add the following:
When speaking to his disciples about the Pharisees Jesus warned them saying, “so practice and observe whatever they tell you – but not what they do. For they preach, but do not practice. (Matthew 23:3)
In other words, the truth is the truth no matter whose mouth is proclaiming it. If the truth of the gospel is declared out of an impure motive- it still remains the truth.
Paul rejoiced in that no matter what the motive was, the gospel was being preached.