There are some passages in the Bible that cause me to press the “pause” button and reflect. 

Isaiah’s vision of Yahweh’s Throne Isaiah 6 is one of them. He was overwhelmed with fear and wonder at the same moment. 

Or maybe it’s Ezekiel 18 that speaks of our responsibility to stumbling sinners and how God holds us accountable when we withhold warning. 

Scary! 

Then there’s Hebrews 10:31 that reminds us that “it is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” if we trample on what we have in Christ. 

The list can go on and on, but the one verse that has always troubled is Matthew 7:21-23. 

Park there for a few days.  Meditate on a slice of the Judgment in Jesus’ own words! 

For me, the most frightening words are, “I never knew you!” 

This coming Sunday we will visit this text and principles we must grasp in order to get our story straight before Judgment.