Lord, lord, have we not prophesied.....?

This is the verse that I was trying to think of when penning yesterday's blog. Matthew 7 shows us an illustration of some people trying to get into heaven based on their good works. "Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name and do many mighty works in your name?" To which they received the reply, "Depart from me, workers of iniquity, I never knew you". Sad. Now, to the common eye, these people in question probably looked like Authentic Christians. Casting out demons, prophesying, doing mighty works..


I thought it interesting that Jesus replies that he NEVER knew these people. Not 'knew-them-once-but-forgot-them-when-they-sinned". This scripture has been misused as a way to justify non-eternal security. The lose your salvation. These guys in question never had it.
The question was asked on a social network, "Isn't the true measure of an authentic Christian practicing the teachings of Jesus when no one is looking?" Again, Matthew 7 encourages us not to judge one another's heart. We can judge works, but not heart. There was a sign on a church marquee once that read, "Man sees what you do, God sees why you do". How true.

So, really, good works or bad works really isn't a measure of the Authentic Christian. What the measure would be then, "Does the Holy Spirit reside in the Authentic Christian?" A resounding YES should be our response. But how do "we" know if "they" have the Holy Spirit? Our spirits can bear witness with each other's spirit. You just know you're in the same family. Anything we can put our fingers on? No. That would be judging their hearts. Their hearts are none of our business.