The scariest verse in the bible.

Mankind currently has recorded history of approximately 6,000 years. During the first two thirds of that time, God dealt with His creation through oracles, prophets, judges and just plain ol’ people. Some of it was jotted down and ultimately became known as the Old Testament.

That wasn’t good enough, though, because mankind is a stubborn, rebellious creature.

So, finally, God sent His Son.

Now, in spite of omnipotence and grand power and all that, the plan was for Jesus to live only 33 years in this framework we call reality. And in those 33 years, he waited 30 of them before beginning His ministry and ultimately, His sacrifice.

So. Three years of ‘press conference’ from the Lamb of God. Three years...out of SIX THOUSAND! Words so special, that in most bibles, we print them in red ink, to be certain that readers understand they are listening to eternal truth.

What message did He bring? In truth, there were really only two messages. Oh, He gave answers to questions, even from enemies. He gave personal instruction to his beloved disciples and friends. But when He gave public press conferences, the messages that He delivered could really be boiled down into two categories.

1. The Kingdom of God is come.
2. I came to do the will of my Father...instead of my own.

Now, number one already sounds pretty grandiose in its own right, while number two sounds, compared to number one, well, a little lame.

It’s not lame. It’s everything. Jesus was giving His definition of Faith. Jesus talked about Faith all the time. What it is. What it isn't.

For now, let's look at...what it’s not. Why? Here’s why. Because there's this one verse. It tells us how IMPORTANT it is, that we understand what Faith...is not. The scariest verse in the entire bible…

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:21

Why is that scary? Well, who is Jesus talking about? He’s talking about people who live their entire lives thinking they are serving Him. He’s talking about people who believe, right now...right this minute, that they are safe and secure in their eternal reconciliation with God. He’s talking about people who already call themselves Christians and have gotten comfortable with it.

And He’s saying that they aren’t. They aren’t secure. They aren’t His. They never were. They just think they are. They...are...not...Christians. They are not saved. They are going to Hell, thinking they're going to heaven.

They are deceived.

Are you one of them?

The idea of that scares me all the time. It should scare you, too.

Here it is in a sound bite… 'Don’t take Jesus for granted. He doesn’t.'

Let's be clear, here. Jesus wasn’t talking about someone LOSING true salvation. This isn’t about that. I personally don’t believe someone that’s truly saved can ever be ‘un-saved’, but that’s another whole study.

No, Jesus is talking about someone who never had it to start with…but THOUGHT they did. THINKS they do.

Satan’s number one weapon against us is deception.

And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Matthew 24:22-24

Could we be talking about Pharisees, you ask? Sadducees? Yes, there are people in today’s Christian world who qualify for those titles spiritually, even though that was a Jewish term in Jesus’ day. But it’s more than that. Much more. You can even be a ‘believer’ and still fall short of true Faith. Don’t ‘believe’ me? Ask James…

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. James 2:19

Or ask Jesus…

And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Rev. 3:1

A name that thou livest and art dead. Whew!

By now, it should be clear that understanding Faith is pretty important. You’re only betting your eternity on it.

The thing is, YOU don’t get to decide what true Faith is. I don’t. Your preacher or priest doesn’t. JESUS...gets to decide what Faith is. And He did. And He told us. He talked about it constantly.

But He also told us that just CALLING ourselves Christians...doesn't make it so. Shoot, even WORKS in Christ's name can fall short. When I was a young Christian, some four decades ago, I stumbled across that verse...and trembled. I determined right then, I would dig out, from the Word, exactly what Jesus thought Faith was, instead of forming my own opinion. I wanted the real deal.


Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Phil. 2:12[/i]

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 2 Peter 1:10