In my previous post, I recognized there are Bible verses that really hold on to me.
They can occupy my thoughts and lead me in search of answers.
And I don’t view that as a bad thing.
Throughout my life, there have been two verses that have stuck with me.
The first verse is from John 14:12:
“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”
I share my specific reaction about John 14:12 in the blog post 2 Bible Verses That Haunt Me, and I am grateful for the comments you shared.
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Admittedly, as I’m reading the Bible on a regular basis for the very first time, there are other verses I have questions about.
I’ll save those for another day though.
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The second verse that has haunted me most of my life is also from the Gospel:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one 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 in your name perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
(Matthew 7: 21-23)
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This verse is commonly referenced by pastors and evangelists to promote a personal relationship with Jesus (although ironically the term “personal relationship” isn’t in the Bible.)
My NIV Life Application Study Bible shares the following insight about this verse:
“On the day of judgment, only our relationship with Christ – our acceptance of him as Savior and our obedience to him – will matter.
Many people think that if they are “good” people and say religious things, they will be rewarded with eternal life.
In reality, faith in Christ is what will count at the judgment.”
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I fully accept that Jesus is my salvation.
Jesus doesn’t merely point to the path to God.
He is the path to God.
“I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well.
From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
(John 14: 6 -7)
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The Will of My Father
Perhaps it is this part of Matthew 7: 21-23 that sticks with me:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
How does someone truly know they are doing the will of God?
How do we know we are obedient?
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I do take comfort and responsibility in the words of Paul (and I hope you do as well):
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.
The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”
(Galatians 2:20-21)
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What is your advice or experience with Matthew 7: 21-23?
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