Sovereign Grace Church

…Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

(MATTHEW 7:22)

The “many” described by our Lord in Matthew chapter 7 are not comforted by His finished saving work. The “many” He describes do not take any comfort in His blood. In fact, this “many” are those who do good works to try to earn their own salvation. Why do they do that? Because in reality they do not believe Him, the Gospel of His blessed person and His finished saving work.

The “many” our Lord describes, actually believe that they did something to make themselves worthy of heaven. It is apparent where they found comfort and where they placed their confidence, in their works! The many say, “Did not I prophesy in thy name…did not I cast out demons in thy name…and in thy name did many wonderful works!” Unbelievable though it may be, these reprobate self-righteous pharisees say nothing of the finished saving work of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The “many” do not make mention of the precious blood of our Lord Jesus, they do not mention His broken body on His cross, they do not mention of His righteousness or for that matter His worthiness.

Why is that? Because these people never knew Jesus Christ, or more aptly put, the Lord Jesus Christ never knew them. When the Lord declares to the reprobate, I never knew you, depart from me, you that work iniquity. He is intimating to them; from eternity I never knew you, I never prayed for you, I never loved you, I didn’t give my life for you as a ransom.

This “many” before the Lord, believe they did something to gain their salvation...what an insult to our Lord! To suggest His finished work of salvation was not enough! These people practically said “Yes, it's true you’re the Savior of sinners, but your work on the cross was not enough to save me!...look at my worthy works that justify me.” What blasphemy!

Friend, what comforts your conscience? Do you have a good conscience? If you have a good conscience before God…why is it that you have a good conscience before Him?

Is it because today you read your Bible, or today you preached the Gospel, or today you went to church, or this week you didn't “sin”? Or is it because you cast out demons in the name of Jesus Christ?

For what reason do you have a good conscience before God? Woe to you...if your reason for a good conscience before God is something other than the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 PETER 3:21)

If you have a God given good conscience, it is by the grace of God, through the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross.

He died on the cross, was buried for three days and on the third day he rose again. The resurrection of Jesus Christ gave testimony to the whole world that He paid for the sins of His people; His Father was satisfied with His sin atoning sacrifice. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Savior of sinners! Hallelujah!

One day you and I will be in front of the Lord of lords, the King of kings, Jesus Christ...this is sure...because you and I are a part of that ultimate statistic...ten out of ten people die! When you are in front of God...what song will be in your heart? What song will be evident in your life? The song of the condemned or the song of the redeemed? The song of hell—“I’m worthy”...or the song of heaven —“Thou art worthy…worthy is the Lamb”?

“And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (REVELATION 5:9)