Jesus said in 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!”
I believe that their will be some Christians that will stand before God and hear these word, but how could this be? Ephesians 5:27 says that when Jesus returns, that he is looking for a church without spot or wrinkle. It may sound as if God is looking for perfection, but that is not so. What God is looking for is a purified heart that is surrendered to Him.
2 Corinthian 7:1 tells us to purify our hearts and minds from everything that contaminates, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. Jesus said if we judge ourselves we will not have to be judged (1 Corinthians 11:31). It is up to us to examine our heart (1 Corinthians 11:28 ) and to repent and turn away from anything that stands in the way of our devotion and our relationship with Christ.
1 John 3:20 says if our heart does not condemn us we have confidence before God. God sent the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin so that we can repent and turn from evil. It is through the confession of sin that we purify our hearts and regain our right standing with God.
John 1: 9 declares, But if we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and will purge us from all our evil.
Due to the demands of life and the deceitfullness of sin, many Christians have turned from their first love. Their affection and zeal for Christ has grown dull. They have allowed the world’s system to stain their robes of righteousness.
Jesus told the church in Revelations 3 to return to your first love. He said, I would rather you be hot or cold, but because you are lukewarm I will spit you out of my mouth.
Today is the appointed time, today is the day of salvation. I believe God is telling us to get ready. To watch and pray and to purify ourselves of everything that darkens and defiles our Spirit.
It is time to prepare ourselves for the bridegrooms return. Matthew 25 tells us, “that the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, “Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!” Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” But the wise answered, saying, “What if there isn’t enough for us and you? You go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.” While they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins also came, saying, “Lord, Lord, open to us.” But he answered, “Most certainly I tell you, I don’t know you.” Watch therefore, for you don’t know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”
The sign of the times show that the day of the Lord is surely approaching. This will be a glorious day for those who are anticipating and sincerely waiting his coming. But the big question remains, are you really ready? Is your house or temple clean or are there rooms that still need to be swept out.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 declares, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
And Revelations 21: 8 restates it again, But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
This message is not an attempt to scare you but to give you an opportunity to get your heart right before God. This is no time to play it safe. You’re very life and where you will spend eternity depends upon the condition of your life and your heart. You may be a born-again believer, but is that alone enough to secure your place in heaven? Are we once saved, always saved or is God requiring more? Where we spend eternity is at stake so we should not take this lightly.
Is there unforgiveness in your heart? Matthew 6: 14-15 declares, For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Ask yourself, do I harbor hate or ill-will against others? If you do, God says, forgive and let it go! Pray this prayer as often as you like to cleanse your mind and break the ties of sin in your life.
As an act of faith, use the rest of this prayer to I let go of, denounce, and purify your heart of anything that does not promote the truth of God and his love, joy, and peace. God through the power of the Holy Spirit is here to help you. He says ask and it will be given you, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be open.
Listen below to Meditation Prayer of Repentance, Redemption, and Purification:
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