The Wrong Way

Welcome to His Light, your path with Pastor Rod Haller Sr. Today's devotional is

titled The Wrong Way. It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that our good

deeds, faithful church attendance, or even spiritual accomplishments can secure

our place in heaven. But in this devotional, Pastor Haller will show us what

truly gets us to heaven, and now here's his devotional The Wrong Way. Matthew

chapter 7 verses 21 through 23. Not everyone that sayeth unto me, Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my father,

which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not

prophesied on thy name, and in thy name have cast out devils, and in thy name

done many wonderful works, and then will I profess unto them, I never knew you,

depart for me ye that work iniquity. Sadly, many people think that going to heaven

is the product of good works. No matter how righteous the works may be, they are

insufficient to merit entrance into heaven. Jesus boldly addresses this truth in

our text verses. Let us diligently consider this because it determines the

destiny of men's souls. Verse 21 tells that, in other words, many people

identify with Jesus not everyone that sayeth unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into

the kingdom of heaven. They call on him, assuming that they are right before him, and that

he expects to enter heaven when he dies. But his assumption is wrong. Hence, Jesus said,

not everyone that sayeth unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Some say, Lord, Lord, and they are on their way to heaven, but some say, Lord, Lord,

and Jesus never knew them. These people are outwardly the same. They both call on the same God.

They are both expecting heaven, but they are not the same. One is rejected because he offers

his good works to earn salvation. Look again, Matthew 7.22. 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 have done many wonderful works. This man lists various things that associate

him with Jesus and a religious life. Jesus did not deny this man did these deeds. He probably did

do these deeds, but salvation is not earned by good works, no matter how many, nor how good they are.

Ephesians 2.8 and 9 say, for by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves,

it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.

When they stand on the threshold of eternity that day, they will offer their good works only to

find them inadequate for eternal life with God. Jesus will reject them. Matthew 7.23 again,

and then will I profess unto them, I never knew you, depart from me, ye that work in equity.

Many people really do many wonderful things in the name of Jesus, but they are trusting in those

works for their eternal life. The key here is that salvation is by doing the will of God,

not everyone that say, Thun to me, Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven,

but he that doeth the will of my father which is in heaven.

What is the will of the father which is in heaven? It is to believe in Jesus as their Savior.

Let us read John 6, 28, and 29. Then said they unto him, what shall we do that we might work

the works of God? And Jesus answered and said unto them, this is the work of God,

that ye believe on him who he hath sent. Therefore, for God so loved the world that he gave his only

begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

That wraps up today's devotional the wrong way from Pastor Holler.

We were reminded by Jesus' words in Matthew 7 that just doing good things,

even spiritual things, doesn't guarantee a place in heaven. It's not about appearances or

accomplishments, it's about believing in the work Christ did for us on the cross. Be sure to

join us tomorrow on his like your path for another devotional from Pastor Holler.