Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 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 in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ [Amplified Version adds “Disregarding My commands.”]
SIGNS AND WONDERS!!! Who doesn’t want to see the power of God at work? But one question is this: are you looking for the power of God, or to be entertained? Here in Ghana, there are lots of TV programs showing the host pastor casting out demons, healing the sick, etc. And many believers follow these TV prophets avidly, feeling that here they are REALLY seeing miracles. But wait! What is Jesus saying in these verses?
Jesus! Are you telling us that even if we prophesy in your name, we can still be evil doers? What about casting out demons? Surely we wouldn’t be able to drive out demons in your name if we weren’t really following you! And what about miracles? Hey! A good miracle should definitely secure us a place in heaven, shouldn’t it?
Well, the problem is that if ANYTHING any man can do is sufficient to earn a place in heaven, then Jesus’ death and resurrection is totally unnecessary! If a single person in the entire history of the world has been good enough, then that means that any or all of us potentially can earn our way into heaven.
Jesus came because ALL of us were sinners! All of us had fallen short of God’s glory. What about out TV evangelists? Well, the big question is this: to whom is glory being given? Is glory being given to God or to a man or woman?
Kathryn Kuhlman was a faith healer in an earlier age. Kathryn Kuhlman had her faults, but she gave the glory to Jesus. Hear what Kathryn Kuhlman had to say: “God is not looking for gold vessels or silver vessels. He is looking for willing vessels.” “Wherever you find real love, you will also find humility. Remember something: humility is not a weak and timid quality. Too often we feel that humility is a sign of weakness. This is not so. It is the sign of strength and security.” “Today, Jesus stands ready to hear your cry and to answer prayer for you. He is interested in every detail of your life. He knows you better than you know yourself.”
Don’t follow a man or woman! There is nobody on earth who can save you from your sins! Only Jesus has that power. Are these signs and wonders real? Yes. They may be. Many times God is honoring the faith of the person coming and not the evangelist. Does everyone get healed? No. One of our friends traveled all the way to another African country in desperate need of healing, only to be sent back unhealed and to die a few days later.
Who will enter the kingdom of heaven? ”…only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Let us seek to serve God and not to chase after miracles. In the end, we might find ourselves in the company of those who thought the miracles would earn them a place in heaven.
PRAYER: Father, help us to seek you for your perfect will and not for signs and wonders. Help us to realize that you have already given the greatest Sign: you sent Jesus to die for us. May we serve you and honor you every day of our lives. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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