Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.” Matthew 3:8-9 ESV1
Read Matthew 3:1-12
In the time in which Jesus walked the Earth there were groups of very religious people who were absolutely sure that they, above others, were right with God. They studied the Scriptures, followed very high standards of holiness, and taught others to do the same. Two of these religious groups were the Pharisees and the Sadducees. Shortly before Jesus began His earthly ministry, his close relative, John the Baptist, was preparing the way for Jesus by preaching, “‘Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand’” (Matthew 3:2). A great number of people from the region believed John’s message. “[They] were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins” (Matthew 3:6). Presumably, because they were serious about matters of faith, “many Pharisees and Sadducees [were also] coming to [John’s] baptism, [and] he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come’” (Matthew 3:7)? Why was John so rude to those wanting to do the right thing?
Could it be that, although these Pharisees and Sadducees were so religious, they were not even remotely close to God? Clearly, there will be people who think they are right with God to whom God will say, “’I do not know you’” (Matthew 25:12). Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven … many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and cast out demons in Your name, and do many mighty works in Your name?’ And I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me you workers of lawlessness’” (Matthew 7:21-23). See also, Matthew 25:31-46.
Scary! How is it that those, who are not only religious but have done amazing things in Jesus’ name might not be saved? How is it that Jesus will not know them? How could they actually be working against Jesus when they so sincerely think they are working for Him? They must be blinded by some huge lie straight from the Father of Lies, Satan himself—a lie so enormous that to doubt it is almost impossible.
According to what John continued to say to the Pharisees and Sadducees, it is evident that they were counting on being saved because they were descendants of Abraham. John said, “’Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our father,” for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham’” (Matthew 3:8-9). Being a child of Abraham is a big deal. The Jews, after all, are God’s chosen people. No wonder these “good” children of Abraham expected they were saved. But if God can turn a rock into a child of Abraham, being able to trace one’s genealogy back to Abraham is not enough for eternal salvation. But it was a very convincing belief, one on which they so deeply relied that they couldn’t see the whole truth.
What about you? Are you sure you are right with God? Are you sure God knows you? Are you relying on some sincerely repeated prayer, a prayer which someone you trusted told you was your sure-fire ticket into Heaven? Remember the Pharisees and Sadducees also taught people what they believed was the way to get right with God, but they were mistaken. They were not right with God themselves. How could they teach what they did not know?
I am not doubting the sincerity of your desire to be saved or the salvation of the one who taught you to pray. But this is just too big of a matter to push aside. Are you sure you are saved? Scripture tells us that if we are saved, “the Spirit Himself testifies to our spirit that we are God’s children” (Romans 8:16). Is the Holy Spirit testifying to your spirit? Jesus tells us that we “prove to be [His] disciples” if we “bear much fruit” (John 15:8). And that a “branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in Me” (John 15:4). Are you staying connected to Jesus? Are you bearing fruit? “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). Are you growing in these fruits? Are you a different person since you said that special prayer? If not, you might not be saved? Search your heart. Repent and bear fruit according to that repentance (Matthew 3:8). Pray that God would assure you of your salvation. Then pray for those who think they are saved and may not be. May no one you love hear Jesus say, “I never knew you; depart from Me.”
1Scripture quotations marked with ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All Scriptures are taken from the ESV unless otherwise noted. I have capitalized references to God.