In the message on Romans 2:12-16 on Sunday, we briefly considered the cross-reference in Matthew 7:21-23:
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’
23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Had time permitted, I would have lingered in these verses. One thing that may puzzle us is that such magnificent works as prophesying, casting out demons, and doing mighty works/miracles would seem to be great indications that one belongs to Jesus. How could such acts not serve as evidence that one knows the Lord?
It is noteworthy Jesus would call the disciples to do these very things in Matthew 10: 1 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction…instructing them, ‘…proclaim as you go…’” (vv1-7). Among those whom Jesus explicitly calls to these activities, one name stands out: “…and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him” (v4). Jesus gave this authority to Judas.
Luke 9 reveals that the disciples did these things, returned, and reported to Jesus. This would have included Judas. Clearly, speaking the truth, casting out demons, and performing mighty works is not a sure sign that someone belongs to Christ. After all,
Did Jesus have Judas in mind when He said the words in 7:22? Of course, He knew that Judas was going to betray Him. But if He had Judas in mind, He didn’t have only Judas in mind, because He said, “on that day many will say to me…” Many will appeal to evidence that does not truly indicate salvation.
“Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?” Likely, there are not many people today who would claim to have done these kinds of things, but what might we appeal to instead?
Lord, Lord, did I not serve in your church?
Lord, Lord, did I not spend hours in prayer?
Lord, Lord, did I not share the gospel with people?
Lord, Lord, did I not give sacrificially?
Lord, Lord, did I not get goosebumps during corporate worship?
Lord, Lord, did I not enjoy fellowship?
Lord, Lord, did I not memorize entire books of the bible?
Lord, Lord, did I not volunteer weeks of my life to go on mission trips?
Certainly, these are good things. But—like the prophesying, casting out demons, and miracles performed by Judas—unregenerate people can do all these things. People dead in their sins can serve, pray, evangelize, give, memorize Scripture, and teach Sunday School. We’ve seen it with our own eyes.
What can’t they do? They cannot consistently live like Christ.
They cannot bear up and rejoice under persecution (1 Pet 4:13). They cannot love their enemies (Matt 5:44). They cannot consistently do good to those who harm them (Matt 5:38-42). They cannot put off anxiety and trust the Lord (Matt 6:25-34). They cannot serve others transcendently, exhaustively, and selflessly (Eph 4:1-2). When the chips are down, when trials come, when the heat of persecution finds them, they cannot display love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal 5:22-23). Their lives cannot show the qualities outlined in the Beatitudes of Matthew 5:1-12. They cannot display godly character and conduct.
Even the demons can say true things (Mark 1:24). The magicians of Egypt did miracles (Exo 7:11-12, 22; 8:7). Godly fruit can only be borne in the lives of those in whom the Holy Spirit resides. This is why Jesus calls us to let our good works shine before men for God’s glory in Matthew 5:14-16—this evidences a transformation that can only be accomplished by Him.
Some appeal to false fruit, tasks that anyone can do, to assure themselves they are saved, while they show no supernatural change in their conduct and character. A person who reads the bible consistently but who does not kill sin and put on righteousness should have no confidence they are saved. A man who for years has come to church every time the doors are open but who is no closer to loving his wife as Christ loved the church than he ever was should have no confidence that he is redeemed. A person who gives time and money to the church but who shows no sign of the transformation of his character over the years should have no confidence that he knows the Lord.
As I mentioned Sunday, stagnation happens. Everyone has ups and downs. The question is, over the course of one’s life as a believer, through all the ups and downs, has there been a general upward trend? Are we more like Christ today than the day we professed belief? If so, we should continue repenting and trusting and pursuing righteousness.
2 Peter 1:3ff is another passage teaching that godly living is the natural course of belief; and it serves as evidence that we truly do believe:
3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
We could briefly summarize that to say that we have been given salvation. God has granted it to us. Peter continues…
5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.
“For this very reason…” in v5 means, “because we have been given salvation, let us exhibit the qualities/fruit/evidence of His work in us. Verse 9 indicates how unnatural it is to do otherwise. He continues:
10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Verse 10 suggests that we make our calling and election sure—that is, that we enjoy assurance—by practicing “these qualities,” walking in virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love.
Godly living is the evidence that we have been truly saved.
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