“Many Will Say To Me In That Day”

"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, 'Lord, Lord, have not we 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)

Prophesy, casting out demons, and doing of wonders in Jesus' name are activities of the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul directs the believer to 'pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy'. If prophesy is lawful, so must be the other two. There are many accounts through the new testament which prove that so.

"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father."

(John 14:12)

I recently attended a gathering in which the host desired to assist another ministry to receive down payment in order to purchase the building in which they were currently active. All offerings received would go directly to that purpose. They received throughout the week more than enough to accomplish that goal. Not much seems wrong with that, yet I was uncomfortable. Then Matthew 7:21-23 came to my attention. As I inquired of the Lord as to the context of it, I am impressed that He said to my spirit, "It is not that what they are doing is wrong, it is what they aren't doing." He who believes in Jesus Christ will do the works that He did. Simply put, he will prophesy, cast out demons, do wonders AND take up his cross, and follow Him, and HE WILL PREACH THAT! The activities in the Holy Spirit are helpful to men. Understanding the cross of Christ Jesus is greater because it shows how to walk just as He walked.