And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Matthew 7:23
In the book of Revelation there are many scary things going on, but for me Matthew 7:23 is the scariest thing in the Bible.
Imagine thinking you’re right with God and serving him only to find out you were in deception. Then you are forever separated with God and in eternal torment.
That’s what is going to happen to many believers in Christ because they were not born again. Head knowledge acceptance doesn’t result in a born again experience. A real born again experience results in a heart change. You agree with God that you are in desperate need of Him. You see that you have a massive sin debt. You can’t pay it. If you are broken then plead His mercy. God promises you freedom in him, by following him because he is faithful.
Listen preachers and sharers of the gospel; a sinner has to be scared about his eternal destiny to repent. We can’t sugarcoat the gospel. Jesus didn’t.
If you knew ahead of time that this would be the last day for a person to live, what would you say to them? Now go say that. Everyone is one pulmonary embolism or car accident away from death. We can pass at any time.
Imagine thinking you’re OK and the next thing you know you’re in an persistent and inescapable state of fear and you know you can never leave. You exist tortured with regret knowing you could have done something about it. Preachers and sharers of the good news get people to that point now so they don’t experience it later.
A relative of mine told me the story about a man she knew. She was in the hospital and she heard him screaming don’t put those chains on me. In life he was far from a born-again Christian. Be bold! Ask that person if they want forgiveness from God. Maybe you think it will be uncomfortable, but what you’re really doing is walking up to that person and releasing Hell’s chains from them.
Be bold not abrasive. Abrasive doesn’t work; abrasive repels people. That’s not your intended result! Keep the heart soft and kind.
Who will you share the good news with today?
Following Jesus 