A Loving Warning: Don’t Mistake God’s Grace for His Approval
Blessed be the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This message is a loving and timely warning: Many people—though they may think they’re walking with God—will be shocked to discover they were never truly right with Him. Jesus Himself warned that on the Day of Judgment, many who believed they were safe will be turned away. The root reason? A lack of true holiness.
1. Holiness Is Essential for Eternal Life
The Bible makes this unshakably clear:
Hebrews 12:14
“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Holiness isn’t optional—it’s foundational to salvation. This does not mean sinless perfection, but rather a life set apart for God, marked by genuine repentance, obedience, and transformation through the Holy Spirit.
2. God’s Common Grace Is Not a Sign of Salvation
It’s easy to mistake God’s common grace—His kindness to all people—as proof of His approval.
Matthew 5:45 says:
“He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
Even those who blaspheme, live in sin, or practice witchcraft still experience good things in life. That’s not because they’re right with God, but because God is patient and kind (see Romans 2:4). He is giving them time to repent.
Theological Insight: This is called “common grace”—God’s general goodness extended to all humanity, distinct from “saving grace” which brings redemption to those who believe and obey the gospel (Titus 2:11-12).
3. Spiritual Gifts Do Not Guarantee Salvation
Performing miracles, preaching powerfully, or casting out demons are not signs that someone is saved or approved by God. Even those who are spiritually gifted may be disqualified if their hearts are far from Him.
Matthew 7:21–23
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”Theological Insight: This reflects the biblical doctrine of “false assurance”—the idea that outward religious activity does not equal inward transformation (see 2 Timothy 3:5).
4. The Works of the Flesh Exclude Us from God’s Kingdom
Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, outlines behaviors that clearly disqualify people from entering the kingdom of God:
Galatians 5:19–21
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;
idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions
and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.
I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Notice Paul says, “I warn you, as I did before”—he is repeating the warning because it’s that serious. He wants no one to stand before God and say, “I didn’t know.”
Likewise, Ephesians 5:5 echoes this truth:
“For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”
Theological Insight: These passages affirm the necessity of sanctification—the process by which believers grow in holiness, empowered by the Spirit (Romans 8:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:7).
5. God’s Mercy Should Lead Us to Holiness, Not Complacency
Yes, we should be grateful for God’s healing, provision, protection, and daily mercies. But we must not let those blessings make us spiritually lazy or overconfident. God’s goodness is meant to lead us to repentance:
Romans 2:4
“Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”
Theological Insight: God’s grace teaches us to say “no” to ungodliness (Titus 2:11-12), and to live holy and upright lives in preparation for Christ’s return.
6. Holiness Is a Daily Calling
We are not saved by works, but a saved person will bear the fruit of a holy life. Holiness is the evidence of true salvation and the lifestyle of those who belong to God.
2 Corinthians 7:1
“Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”
Final Exhortation:
Let’s not be deceived. Blessings, miracles, and spiritual activities are not enough. What God desires is a life set apart for Him—a life of humility, repentance, purity, and obedience.
Let us examine our hearts and pursue holiness every day so that when we finally see Him, we will hear the words,
“Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21, —not,
“I never knew you.”
May the Lord bless you.
