Bible Verse of The Day – 10-18-21

Matthew 7:22-23 (NKJV) 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Many might read this and think that Jesus is referring to those we might consider “unsaved” in our eyes; those who live ungodly lives and are easily recognized as unbelievers.

But look more closely. What does Jesus say they did?

They prophesied in His name, cast out demons and performed wonders in His name. That doesn’t really describe anyone who is easily recognized as an unbeliever, does it?

You see, there are (and will continue to be) many who “walked the aisle”. There will be many who “prayed the prayer”. And even many who “repented and asked for forgiveness”.

And yet, the hearts of those never changed. They walked through all of the outward motions, but they never allowed God to touch their heart and bring genuine change.

These people look, for all appearance’ sake, like believers; followers of Christ.

They speak the right words, act the right way at the right time, etc. But deep inside, they are the same person they have always been; dead in their sin.

I can recall a short period of time where I was that person. I had “walked the aisle” and “prayed the prayer”. And though I “felt something” when I took those steps, I didn’t change right away.

I still cussed up a blue streak. I still drank (and got drunk). I still lived like the world.

But at some point after that, I finally “got it”. I felt God’s Spirit tugging at my heart, wooing me, calling me to truly repent and let Him in.

And when I finally surrendered, I knew it. And it was outwardly obvious that I was beginning to be transformed into a new person; a person who had been touched by God in a life-changing way.

It’s important for us to understand that we don’t need to “walk an aisle” or “pray a specific prayer” to be saved. We just need to genuinely, wholly surrender to God, recognizing that we are lost and need His grace and mercy over our lives, through the sacrifice that was made on the cross by Jesus Christ.

This is not to say that “walking an aisle” is bad. Nor is “praying a specific prayer” to ask for God’s forgiveness. But they are not Biblically required or necessary in order for us to be born again.

The work was already done for us when Jesus died and rose again, making a way for us to be saved from our flesh and the sin that dominates us. All we need to do is sincerely, genuinely embrace that gift and then live it out.

Let’s not be one who walks an aisle and recites a prayer, and then goes on to live life as though God never touched us. Because the truth of the matter is, if we live like that, He probably never did touch us.

And that puts us in grave danger of being one of those mentioned above, where Jesus says “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

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