The Marks of a Professing Christian

Text: Matthew 7:21-23

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but [he] that doeth the [will] of my Father which is in heaven. [21] Many will say to me [in] that day, Lord, Lord, have we not [prophesied] in thy name? and in thy name have [cast out] devils? and in thy name [done] many [wonderful] works? [22] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

On this evening as I begin to expound upon this particular passages of scripture (Matt. 7:21-23) there is quite a lot so as to study this important biblical portion. First, in order to understand what Jesus is saying here in Matthew 7:21-23 is to read properly that of this particular verses as well as understanding what is within this text. Context, context, context rules.  The basis of Bible interpretation is to compare scripture with scripture (1 Cor. 2:13, 14). In so many words scripture interpret scripture as opposed to many professing Christians who utilized the Bible as a proof-text so as to "forge" that of their theology (2 Pet. 3:16).

   So let's begin by looking at Matthew 7:21 where Jesus says, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven." Jesus in so many words is saying to us by paraphrasing that just because a person mentioned the name "Lord, Lord," or to make such outward profession of faith in Christ will not spend eternity in heaven.  There are so many professing believers who make such vain profession of faith in Christ, but, they are not connected to the True Vine which is in Christ Jesus (John 15:1).  In order to know whether a person is a "true" genuine believer is not per sa what they say, but, a life that is consistent with what they claim to profess. The old saying, "Tell me what is a man believe and I will tell you what he will do." What a person believe is going to determine how they live their lives. The outward profession of many professing Christians is by saying, "Lord, Lord." (v. 21a)  These are "unsaved" individuals even though they make such outward profession of faith in Christ, but, their hearts have not been regenerated by the power and work of the Holy Spirit. In Titus chapter 1 verse 16 concerning professing believers where it says, "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." Within this particular passage (Tit. 1:16) talks about many professing Christians claiming to know God by their own outward profession (v. 16a). As a result of their outward profession of faith in Christ is that they truly deny Christ as Sovereign Lord and Savior (v. 16b), but, accompany that of their explicit denial of Christ is that their lives are marred by sin and immorality (v. 16c).  It is impossible for professing Christians to produce good works as a result of them not having that of God's righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ. Any attempt made by professing Christians is based upon such works/righteousness by which it becomes reprobate. Also, there are many professing believers who have been convinced that by doing goods works is going to guarantee them entry into heaven by which they will be eternally separated from God in furnace of hell (Heb. 6:8). In order that many professing believers can avoid the fate of eternal damnation so as to go to heaven is to trust Christ Only for their salvation so as to receive the gift of eternal life (Jn. 3:36).

   As we begin to further look at the next portion of the biblical text of scripture according to Matthew chapter 7:22 by which our Lord says, "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? At the day of Judgment many professing Christians will make such profession of faith in Christ, but, their own human works and accomplishment is that (1) They claim to be spokespersons for Christ. (v.22b) And, (2) They claim to cast out demons in Christ's name. (v.22c) Also, therefore (3) They claim to have done many wonderful works. (v. 22d) It is unfortunate that many professing Christian teachers who claim to preach for Christ is that they deny the very Christ that they proclaim. They are emissaries of Satan by which they are blind and ignorant of the truth of the gospel of Christ. Thus they pervert that of the gospel of Christ through such forms of legalism and works of righteousness, or their own "personal" holiness as a means by which to gain that of God's righteousness without trusting in Christ (Rom. 10:1-4).

   It is impossible for apostates in the church today to preach about Christ when in fact they deny the very Christ of scripture. They are blind leaders of the blind by which they both fall into the ditch (Matt. 23). The most sad, but, tragic scene about false spiritual leaders is that they are capable of utilizing the language of the Bible, that of the catechism of the church, to emulate the morality of the Church, but, they are not good at restraining their sinful corrupt moral nature. In so many words they are good at pretending, but, slip up in revealing their true identity so as to know that they do not belong to Christ by which they vainly profess (Tit. 1:16). They are sinners in saint's clothing, but, do not have the Spirit. They are unsaved, unregenerate individuals whose hearts have not been renewed by the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-5).  They have a heart of stone; not a heart of flesh. They beguile unstable souls by which they continue on sinning. They have a nature that is "unrestrained." They are dead in their trespasses and wrongdoing. They are abominable, disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate (Tit. 1:16). They teach a license to sin at the expense of grace by violating God's divine law. Hyper grace theology that are promulgated by apostates in the professing church today have in fact destroyed the true faith and moral lives of God's people (Jud. 4).

   Last, as we begin to study by expounding upon Matthew 7:23 where Jesus Christ also says, "And then I will profess unto them, I never know you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." The Lord know those who are His. The truly elect of God belongs to Christ; Christ belongs to the truly saved (Jn. 10:3, 4).  According to Matthew chapter 7 verse 23 is that the Lord will outwardly profess to many professing Christ by saying, "I never knew you:" Many professing Christians who have denied Christ is that Jesus Christ in turn will deny them. At the day of Judgment many professing believers will be banished from God's divine presence and glory (Jn. 3:36).  Their eternal fate in the furnace of fire (Hell) and forever spend eternity in the Lake of fire (Heb. 6:8). The reason for apostate being doomed in Hell is because their denial of Christ, lawlessness and immorality (Jud. 4, 8-10).

   The doctrinal crescendo of apostates or professing Christians in the church today is their outward form of religiosity thought such explicit denial of Christ (Tit. 1:16): "They profess that they know God..."  As a result of many professing Christians profession of faith in Christ is that they do not know the Christ of scripture whereby they are not saved. Many professing Christian teachers know enough about Christ so as to come to faith in Jesus Christ, but, they turn away from Christ (Heb. 6:4-7). They are dead in their trespasses and sins, blind spiritually, and ignorant of God's Word. Also, they are unstable by which they are driven by every wind of doctrine (Eph. 4:14). Therefore, they are conniving, deceitful, and deceiving by which they deceive others (2 Tim. 4:14).  The apostle Peter gives a graphic description of the false teaching and immorality of false teachers (2 Pet. 2:1-22).

   There are contemporary evangelicals in the professing church today believe that powerful "anointed" teaching, "signs and wonders," and works of righteousness through such "personal" holiness is sign of a God anointing ministry, but, it is a way to lure people into the deceptive web of cultism. (Rom. 16:17-18)  Despite the contrary that a true God-exalting, God-honoring church or ministry is that of a regenerate church leadership that teach sound biblical doctrine and theology coupled along with godliness.  Nothing more; nothing less.  A tree is known by the fruit it bears. A good tree cannot bring forth bad fruit nor can a bad tree bring forth good fruit. Doctrine and lifestyle goes hand in hand. (Matt. 7:15-20)

   We live in spiritually deceptive times by which the Church must discern those who are true followers of Christ (Jn. 8:46; 1 Jn. 4:6).

Rev. Darryl L. Miller is the president & Chairman of Darryl Miller International Ministries International in Atlanta, Georgia and travels extensively throughout the United States and continents. Darryl is the Podcast Host, "ASK DARRYL" @ www.spreaker.com/user/bishopoflyons. Darryl is the bestselling author of his book, "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From? Gnostic Source? Or Spiritual Revelation?" As a pastor, apologist, conference speaker, and lecturer he is in great demand both in the United States and around the world. Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside metro Atlanta with their puppy "Little Baby."