Chapter 6: The Heart of an Apostle

Page 15

Good works alone doesn’t get people into Heaven. When Jesus

proclaimed: “I never knew you”, it wasn’t because those Christians hadn’t done something good. Listen to their response.

“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 done many wonderful works?” Matthew 7:22 KJV

It takes a bold person to prophesy in the name of Christ. It takes a bold person to cast out devils in the name of Christ. It takes a bold person to do many wonderful works in the name of Christ. Yet, all of this can get you nothing. Why? Jesus tells us why with: “Get away from me you who work iniquity; you who practice lawlessness.”

The graphic on page 106 is an image God gave me this morning as I awoke. If you want to understand the nuances between good works and faith, it is a good starting point. It is not meant to be all-inclusive and it

shouldn’t be taken as such. However, consider that Christ has informed us that there exists a minimum righteousness standard. He also indicated that the scribes and Pharisees didn’t make the cut. Listen to the words of Christ.

“For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew 5:20 KJV

Hear the plain word from Christ that informs you that your own righteousness will play a factor in your salvation. Then, recognize that Christ’s words are opposite to a lot of Christian doctrine today. The graph

above is separated into two halves. Above the centerline is righteousness and below the line is unrighteousness. A diagonal line represents the continuum between Satan at the bottom and God at the top. The deeper your unrighteousness is, the closer you are to Satan. Likewise, the stronger your

righteousness is, the closer you are to God.