Not Everyone Who Says, “Lord, Lord” Will Enter
Here’s the scariest verse in the Bible:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into heaven’s kingdom. It is only those who persist in doing the will of my heavenly Father. On the day of judgment many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, don’t you remember us? Didn’t we prophesy in your name? Didn’t we cast out demons and do many miracles in your name?’ But I will have to say to them, ‘Go away from me, you lawless rebels! I’ve never been joined to you!’
Matthew 7:21-23 TPT
What? People who cast out demons won’t get into Heaven?
Yes, because they came to Heaven with a list of what they did. That’s works, not by getting into Heaven by God’s grace – Jesus paying the price for you.
The way you get into Heaven is by believing in what Jesus did for you. Look at Ephesians 2:8-9:
For by grace you have been saved by faith. Nothing you did could ever earn this salvation, for it was the love gift from God that brought us to Christ!
Ephesians 2:8 TPT
It’s only by what Jesus did that we get into Heaven, so not on our own merit, but what Jesus did.
Just Jesus.
Not Jesus + anything else.
So, this verse actually isn’t the scariest verse, but just about the best verse in the Bible. It proves that you can’t get to Heaven by what you do. If you believe in what Jesus did, and accept his free gift with proof of your salvation, you’ll get into Heaven.
Proof of salvation?
Yes, fruit proves faith. If you really believe, you’re changed. You can’t connect with God and not be changed. If that connection is real in your heart, then you will see good changes in your life. You’ll be so grateful for salvation that you will start to do more good. That’s good fruit. It comes out naturally (again, you don’t strive) once you’re saved… and that’s how you know.
Simple.