Changing sticks into stones

Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 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?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Jesus is coming to a close of His sermon on the mount. He has told them many things of how to live their lives as a believer in Him. He had pointed them to the dangers of sin and the false religions that were so prevalent at the time. The ritualistic society was being replaced, or fulfilled by the coming of the Messiah the Jews sought, but did not see standing before them. Even after Christ death on the cross and the Atonement for our sin, the false teachers entered and corrupted the churches even unto this day. Many are led astray by their false philosophies, miracles, rituals, and feel good messages. Nothing can ever replace the power of the Word of God that He has given to us. Those that teach, and or mislead, will have to answer to God and a higher standard.

But the fear that comes in Matthew 7:21-23 is from being mislead. How are we to know if we are being lead astray by false teachers? Test them by comparing their words to the Word of God. If they do not agree, they are misleading you. Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the truth as you spend time searching God’s Word. 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. You will get those gut feelings that something is wrong if their words do not agree. That gut feeling is the Spirit guiding you to the truth. The key is that realization and the action that follows it.

Many of the false prophets of today only preach “feel good” sermons that do not rely on the power of the conviction of sin from the Holy Spirit. Those convictions that make you stir; should make you confess, repent, and move one step closer to Christ. When we spend time in prayer and God’s Word, there will be pain involved in the attention to sin in our lives that is revealed. This is where many put the Bible down; to flee from that pain of the conviction of sin. With that pain can come inexpressible joy with the forgiveness and release of that sin to Christ. Through the pain when we are obedient to that stick, that stick becomes a rock set on the cornerstone of Christ in the foundation of our lives secured in Him. 24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. Our house becomes not one of rubble, but build to stand through eternity in paradise.