The Ultimate Rejection

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’” Matthew 7:21-23

Having just come through the Summer Olympics, we watched a world fascinated by athletes from around the globe who had been literally training for years to meet and compete in the games. For many, this is the most thrilling even of their lives: to compete on a worldwide level against the best athletes in the world. Bronze, silver, and gold medals are coveted; all energies are exerted in pursuit.

Can you imagine the utter disappointment and unbelief of a runner who, after being the first to cross the finish line, is told by all the judges that he didn’t win after all? When an athlete ignores a basic foundational rule of the game, he can find himself disqualified. The Bible tells us there will be those who will be disqualified from entering heaven, even those who “played well.” They have ignored a basic rule.

How about you? You may be running the race of life - and running well. But have you missed one of the fundamental rules? You may be considered by others to be a very nice person - even a godly person; but if you have missed the foundational step of confessing that you are a sinner and placing your trust in the saving grace of Christ only, in the end you have lost.

Don’t run the race of life - only to be disappointed. To win eternally, you must play by the rules.

“For man to be lost, in all his uniqueness and wonder, is tragic.” -Francis Schaeffer