What Really Counts?

     The need to heed.

     Getting back to "how do we know?" - we've been busy - here is something from the Word of God that Christians need to heed. 

     All Scripture is "God breathed." Matthew wrote what Jesus said, long after Jesus had returned to the Father. Chapter 7:21-23: 

     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!" 

     Commentary: Jesus taught that carrying out the will of his heavenly Father was a condition for entering the kingdom of heaven. 

     We don't merit salvation by our own efforts or works alone. God's forgiveness comes through faith and repentance made possible by the grace and sacrificial death of Christ. Obedience to God's will is an ongoing condition for salvation...again, by his grace.

     Elsewhere, we read that we are to put sin to death and present ourselves to God as living sacrifices. Am I a living sacrifice? Are you? We are capable of doing God's will only by virtue of God's grace, power and spiritual life - continually given through Christ. Ephesians 5:2.

     "For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." God's gift of grace does not annul human responsibility or action. We remain free to reject his grace and refuse to draw near to God through Christ. He wants (demands?) a relationship with each of us. If we do great works on our own, we will spend eternity alone.