It is Settled!

A series of lessons from the Bible

by Howell Lasseter

Wise or Foolish?

In last week's article, we learned that the division made today in religion of believer/unbeliever is not correct. And, because we trust and believe God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Word delivered to the apostles and prophets and written down by them, we know it is certain that there is a place of eternal torment awaiting all disobedient people. The disobedient live and die without hope. Some religious teachers have taught that, when an evil person dies, that is the end of their existence. They teach that a loving God would not cast any one away into everlasting torment. On the other side of this subject, just last week, I heard a denominational preacher teach that even newborn babies are born sinners and, if one dies in infancy, would be cast into everlasting torment. Perhaps in a later article, we will study what God says about the state of the souls of newborns and children. Since today, we are considering who is and is not a "believer," the real question is, "What does God say?" on the subject.

"Not every one that sayeth unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father, which is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). See also Luke 6:46-49. Considering Matthew 7:21, who will say to Jesus, "Lord, Lord"? Will it not be those who claim to be His children; who do indeed believe that He is; who believe in Heaven as a real place and Hell as a real place? Look at verse 22: "Many will say to me in that day, 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?" The ones speaking in this verse claim to have done many impressive things. If they indeed had, that would be impressive indeed, wouldn't it? Today, there are men and women who claim they can do the miracles Jesus and the apostles did. Perhaps some of our readers today will say that there are some who can do this. Can we, with all honesty, say that Oral Roberts, or Benny Hinn, or any other so-called "televangelists" raise the dead, heal the sick, restore withered or missing limbs, restore sight or hearing? Back to Matthew 7:23: "and then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Won't that be a disappointing day, a horrible day, when the unbelieving believe and the disobedient seek to become obedient? Yes, there will be two divisions made of those who claim to be believers: those who truly, wholly, believe God and His Word, and those who claim to be believers but have sought to have it "their" way, rather than God's way. Jesus is clearly telling us, through Matthew 7:21-23, that not all who call on Him, not all who say, "Lord, Lord," not all who confess His name, will be saved. Continuing in Matthew 7:24-29, two men are contrasted. Jesus says one is a wise man because he heard Jesus' teaching and did what the Lord said. Jesus calls "foolish" the man who likewise heard the teachings of Jesus, but did not do them. As we have learned in past articles, the New Testament contains the words we are to hear and obey today! Each one must ask himself the question: "Am I wise? or foolish?"