“You believe that there is one God?
You do well – even the demons believe – and tremble!”
James 2:19

People reassure themselves that they’re ok because they believe in God, but they show otherwise by their lives. It’s not enough to believe that there is a God. Even the demons believe that!

“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!’”
Matthew 7:21-23

How chilling! Scripture says that there are people who have even done “wonders” in the Name of the Lord but to some of these he will say “I never knew you.”

“I never knew you” ???

Do not imagine that you’re saved because you’re doing good works. Even the unsaved do that. First make sure that you “know” him and that he “knows” you. If you have not been born again, he does not “know” you.

Examine yourself closely and examine your motives for whatever good works that you do. If you find they are centered in your own self, deeds done so that you’ll be perceived as a “good” person, this is pride; you need to approach the living God and ask to be born again.

Anyone who comes to him in humility, confessing their sins with a heart of repentance, asking to receive the born-again experience – will be received. There is no partiality with God. He is not impressed with your accomplishments or lack thereof. He is impressed with repentance. He will receive any repentant person asking to be born again.