Are You Going to Heaven?

“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 many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” -Matthew 7:21-23

“...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling...” -Philippians 2:12b

This is a very hard-hitting passage of Scripture. Jesus is basically saying, “Just because you do everything you’re supposed to do in my name, doesn’t mean you are going to heaven.” Today, I don’t have a long message for you; I just want to remind you that following Jesus isn’t about Church attendance, it isn’t about the things you do, and it isn’t about being a good person. You can check off all of these things and still find yourself in hell when you die.

Jesus says that only “the one who does the will of my Father” will go to heaven. So how do we know God’s will? Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” In other words, put the things you hear to the test, comparing them to Scripture. We can know God’s will by reading the bible. We will not always get it right, though. Remember Monday’s iDevo? It’s in these times that the Holy Spirit prays with us so that we are praying for God’s will.

So seek after God’s heart. It is always in his will for you to have a relationship by him. Nothing we can do or be can save us from eternal damnation. It is only by accepting Jesus’ sacrifice and continually submitting ourselves to the will of God. Are you saved? I encourage you to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. This is real. The time is now. Stop putting it off.