Have you ever wondered how many people in church are not Christians? Jesus’ next statement makes it clear there are some who are not Christians.
Some of them simply come to church and leave. Others are helping with organizational activities, evangelism, the women’s ministry, teaching, and some are even preaching.
It is not uncommon at Bible institutes, Bible colleges and seminaries to discover men and women putting their faith in Jesus for the first time in their lives. These men and women were active in their churches. They helped others find Jesus as their Savior, but never really understood the meaning of “believe in Jesus.” They were considered by others to be very spiritual or they would not have gone to a Christian Bible institute, college or seminary. Yet, they did not know Jesus! Just imagine how many will be surprised they ended up in hell.
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. 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.’ (NASB) Matthew 7:21-23
Lord, Lord! Some years ago I noticed a passage in 1 Corinthians that describes the mark of a true Christian. Now when I listen to a person’s testimony, I wait to hear him/her say that Jesus is Lord of his/her life or the person constantly desires to submit to or obey Jesus. Here is the verse,
Therefore I make known to you, that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. (NASB) 1 Corinthians 12:3
This makes sense because the Holy Spirit only lives inside of true Christians. When the Holy Spirit starts living in us, He starts leading us (Galatians 5:25), teaching us (1 Corinthians 2:13), and helping us to pray (Romans 8:26). Scripture also says He gives us spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:7-11) and fills us when we submit to Him (Eph. 5:18). In short, He lives inside us if we are real Christians.
However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. (NASB) Romans 8:9
Only true Christians can say, “Lord, Lord!” and mean it with all their hearts. They can mean it because the Holy Spirit is living in them.
This is not possible for non-Christians since the Holy Spirit does not live within them. They can sing the Christian songs, read the Bible, pray, even teach the Word of God, but Jesus will never be Lord in their lives. That requires the Holy Spirit.
Entrance into the kingdom of heaven is only for Christians who mean the words, “Jesus is my Lord.” How can we know if “Jesus is my Lord?” Jesus answers this question with, “he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.”
http://www.neverthirsty.org/pp/series/SOM/L29/L290.html