Believers or Followers?

FOR AUDIO VERSION CLICK HERE BELIEVERS WHO WON'T MAKE IT INTO HEAVEN Possibly some of the most difficult words Jesus ever spoke has to do with who is going to make it into heaven and who will not. What makes it so difficult is that once you hear these words and really think about them, you must make some decisions about yourself.

I am referring to the words He spoke toward the end of His first seminar-the sermon on the mount. It's found in Matthew 7. "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."

Then Jesus makes the comments I find most interesting and convicting. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"

Now these people who spoke in the name of Jesus, cast out demons in the name of Jesus and performed many miracles in the name of Jesus all had one thing in common with one another. They, no doubt, called themselves believers. So, here is a group of believers who will not enter the kingdom of heaven. WHO ARE THESE GUYS?

Recently I've been thinking that there are three groups of believers-these false teachers and prophets, the devils also believe and then there are those of our fellowship who claim to be believers. So, who is right? Well, in a sense, every group is right. They are all believers. So, what's the difference? Very little as far as their belief.

The real question is which believer will get into heaven. Jesus answers this very issue, because this is the most important issue of all. He says, "only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven" will enter the kingdom of heaven. Doing the will of His Father is to trust Jesus enough to follow Him-to walk, think, love and talk like Jesus.

So just being a believer doesn't get you into heaven, but following the principles and teachings of Jesus. Now, let me put it to you plainly: ARE YOU A FOLLOWER OF JESUS? Is it your conscious effort to walk, think, love and talk like Jesus? ARE YOU A FOLLOWER OF JESUS OR ONLY A BELIEVER?