Key Passage: Matthew 7:21-23

Topic: Salvation

"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, ESV)

What would be the scariest thing you can imagine someone saying to you?

How about, "Your son has died." Maybe, "You have cancer or AIDS and there is nothing we can do." Or, "Your father and I are getting a divorce." These are very devastating statements, shattering your world in a heartbeat. But there is something that's even more serious.

Look again at Jesus' statement. He's talking about something much greater. He's speaking about someone's eternal destination.

Jesus is clearly saying that on judgment day there will be people who called Him "Lord." Not only did they call Him Lord but they claim to have done good deeds, even miracles in His name. But note Jesus' reply, "I never knew you."

What happened? What went wrong? How is it these people, who called Jesus Lord and did good deeds, don't know Jesus?

The answer is both simple and scary. And it's really at the heart of what NotReligion.com is all about. Religion takes on many forms: lip service, good deeds or works, church. But none of these bring eternal life.

The only way to enter into heaven is to know Jesus and to have a relationship with Him. It's not about religion, it's about a relationship! These people missed it and it cost them eternally.

Jesus adds one more aspect to this relationship: obedience. It's not that obedience (like good works) gets you into heaven. But those who have a relationship with Jesus will do the will of the Father.

In other words, those who love God obey Him.