Let me start off by saying to you that we often consider how God uses all kinds of circumstances to draw us close to His side. You see family; the purpose of being drawn close is ultimately to be transformed to the image of His Son and to have intimate fellowship with Him for all eternity. But initially, the purpose of being drawn near is so we can be introduced…..Halleluiah!!
I want you to know that the Kingdom of Heaven is open only to those who truly believe in Jesus. We may think this to be intolerant, but if we profess to believe the Bible is true there can be no other conclusion. Matthew 7:13-14 says, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Our Father is drawing us near because the narrow gate is only open to those who are known to His Son.
If we go down a little father, Matthew 7:21-23 says, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in Heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!'"
We can clearly see here family that being "good" does not ensure we are known by Jesus. Neither does going to church, reading our Bible, teaching Sunday School...or even writing Godly messages! (Did you catch that?) In other words family, Jesus knows, and takes away the sin, of "only he who does the will of My Father."
Fortunately for us family, Jesus also tells us exactly how to do His Father's will. He says to us in (John 6:40). "For My Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." What I am saying family is that God wants us to truly know and be known by His Son….Amen somebody!
All of the wonderful things we do in the name of Jesus count nothing toward granting us the gift of eternal life. True believers in a risen and glorified Lord will certainly desire to turn from a life of sin and obediently serve; "anyone who does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me" (Matthew 10:38). We must spread this message throughout the world and, most importantly, we must receive this message into our own hearts! All our "good" will be burned up and cast aside if done without first having placed our lives in His hands. He is drawing us near because belief in Jesus is both necessary and sufficient for our Salvation. We can do nothing without Him. He is drawing us near and inviting us to submit to the Father's will. Amen, Amen and Amen. God Bless You All and Have A Great Godly Sunday in the Lord.
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