Matthew 7: 21--23
Not everyone who says to Me "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."
In the name of the One Who knows us, amen.
How can it be that someone could prophesy, cast out demons, and perform many miracles in Jesus' name; and still go to Hell? Could this happen to you? These are troubling words!
At first thought we might want to say, well, they don't really prophesy in Jesus' name. They think they do, but since they don't have faith, they are not really prophesying in Jesus' name. That's a pretty convincing thought, but it isn't quite scriptural. Perhaps Saint Paul sheds some light on this subject when he says, "But I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I my self should be disqualified" 1 Corinthians 9: 21).
Saint Paul in this passage indicates that living an evil life, a sign of unbelief, would disqualify him from the prize even though he had preached to others! This thought is found also in the Old Testament with the prophet Balaam. We read about Balaam in Numbers 22. In the New Testament we find out that he was not righteous before God (2 Peter 2: 15). Yet he prophesied the Word of God at the command of God.
So, these stern words of warning stand as they are, a threat to anyone who does not have faith. Our works, even works done in the name of Christ, do not save us. Only God's grace given to us through faith in Jesus Christ, can save us. On the other hand, these words indicate that Jesus knows who belongs to him. They also indicate that the message, the casting out of demons, and the miracles remain effective regardless of the faith of the person doing these things. The power is in the Word of God, not in the person using the word of God.
Is this comforting for you? It should be. This means that when you confess your sins and receive Holy Absolution, you are hearing the voice of Jesus even if the person speaking the absolution doesn't have faith. And, if you worry that you could be one of those who prophesies in Jesus' name, but isn't known by Jesus, hear once again the life giving absolution from your Savior: "I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Amen.
Prayer: Lord God our heavenly Father, keep us in the true faith by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Forgive us all our sins including our unbelief. Unite us with our Savior in His Holy Supper. Make us Your dear children to the glory of Your holy name, amen.