13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
21 “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. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Matthew 7:13-23
These are some of the most sobering verses in the Bible. Christ’s own words clearly warning us that the majority (the many as distinguish from the few) of professing believers (they call Christ Lord) think they are going to heaven but the only thing awaiting them is hell (depart from Me) because God will declare to them, “I never knew you.”
Concerning these verses, John Bunyan wrote, “There is a portal to Hell at the Gates of Heaven”.
These people are sincere, serving in the name of Christ doing many amazing works. They have a zeal for God but not according to knowledge. They are trusting in something other than the Imputed Righteousness of Christ for their salvation.
Their faith is in the false gospel of the false teachers, which is powerless to save.
2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.
Examine Yourself
Some people show by their lawless way of life that they are not Believers
But on the other hand no one can demonstrate by their law-keeping that they are a believer.
You cannot look at a person’s good works or moral way of life and know if that person is a Believer. They might be wanting to please man or endeavoring to earn God’s favor.
The Gospel is the power of God for salvation; no man can be saved apart from the knowledge of the gospel.
John 6
39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.
40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life
Believing on the Son is doing the will of the Father
Knowing God through His Word