Letting yourself believe that Jesus meant what he said is devastating... it's devastating to your way of life, but also to the reality of the lost. As you begin to realize what a life truly given to Christ looks like, you are faced with the heartbreaking reality that many professing "christians" lives don't look like this. I know in my heart being a follower of Christ isn't just calling Him Lord, but making Him Lord of my life. But how many "christians" are doing just that: calling him Lord, making a profession of faith, and then basically doing what they want with their lives. Continuing with their plans and dreams and goals for their life, instead of dying to themselves, and taking on new dreams, new goals....God's dreams, God's goals. And I know in my heart when we fail to do this, we have missed it. And it's a crushing reality because I know in my heart "christian" people I know and I love dearly, still need to be saved. In Luke, Jesus 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!"
As I read this verse, I can't help but picture these people on that day. People who called him their Lord, but never made him Lord of their lives. Jesus isn't talking about atheists and muslims here. He is talking about people who called Jesus their Lord. Who called themselves Christians. Who did things in His name. Who thought they were on the right path. Who will be shocked to find out that they weren't. And Jesus said they will be many. What a sick, dreadful feeling when they realize they missed it. That this God required their lives, required that they lose their own dreams, goals, and direction in life, and do the will of the father. It isn't enough just to acknowledge that he is Lord, and slap a label on our current lives. I think about people I love experiencing this despair and it breaks my heart. I want to tell myself it will be ok. Surely it will be. These people love God, go to church, serve in their churches, and are just really good people. But I know in my heart the truth. And I don't know what to do about it.
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