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Hazelgreen Baptist Church!

Pastor's Corner

MISPLACED FAITH – PART 3 CONCLUSION

Christ taught that many with strong faith will one day find it cannot save them. He said, “Not everyone who says, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father” (Gospel of Matthew 7:21–22).

Christ makes it clear that entering Heaven is about doing the Father’s will. Just as clear communication brings peace in relationships, God has clearly revealed His will through Jesus so we are not left guessing.

In Matthew 7:15–20, Jesus compares doing God’s will to a tree bearing fruit. A tree that produces no fruit is not fulfilling its purpose and cannot truly be called a fruit tree.

Jesus compares this to false prophets who say “Lord, Lord” and do impressive works, yet miss God’s expectations. God sees through their actions and calls them evildoers, saying He never knew them.

In Matthew 7:24–29, Jesus contrasts false believers with true disciples. True followers build on a solid foundation, while false ones build on sand—unstable, fruitless, and lacking obedience.

First, actions speak louder than words. Many claim to know God, but their lives do not reflect Him. True faith must be seen through Christlike actions.

Second, salvation is not about what we do in Jesus’ name, but whether Jesus knows us. Those He knows are the ones who do the Father’s will.

Third, Jesus is the Judge. At the final judgment, all will give account to Him, as the Father has entrusted judgment to the Son.

If entering Heaven requires doing God’s will, Jesus’ teachings show us what that looks like. True faith is not just hearing the Word, but living it out (James 1:22).

God bless you all,

 Pastor John R. Reed