Jesus says, “…you will know them BY THEIR FRUITS (karpos: work, act, deed). 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 (anomia: the utter disregard for God’s law). ’” (Matt. 7:20-23)
The word lawlessness is synonymous with the idea of HABITUAL SIN, those who routinely sin. Even though habitual sinners may say they are Christians, Jesus says they are REALLY NOT SAVED. In other words, “you will know them by their fruits”. That is to say, one’s actions are the real indicator of true salvation, rather than what a person might say. “…among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are IMPROPER FOR GOD’S HOLY PEOPLE. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse (eutrapelia: vulgar) joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—HAS ANY INHERITANCE IN THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things GOD’S WRATH COMES ON THOSE WHO ARE DISOBEDIENT. Therefore DO NOT BE PARTNERS WITH THEM.” (Eph. 5:3-7)
John makes this observation, “The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because GOD’S SEED REMAINS IN THEM; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who DOES NOT DO WHAT IS RIGHT IS NOT GOD’S CHILD, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.” (1 John 3:8-10)
LET US MAKE SURE WE ARE LIVING RIGHT AND WE ARE GOD’S CHILDREN…
-Bill Stockham