Following Jesus

Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 7:21) Those who claim to be good will be rejected by Jesus if they have not carried out the will of God. Jesus will refuse many people entrance into His kingdom on the Day of Judgment because they did not know Him or follow His Father's will. Jesus will refuse many people entrance into His kingdom on the Day of Judgment because they did not know Him or follow His Father's will. Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. (Matthew 16:14) We are to deny our own way, and trust the Lord to do it His way. We must sacrifice every ounce of self if they would choose to walk after Him. For the [true] love of God is this: that we habitually keep His commandments and remain focused on His precepts. And His commandments and His precepts are not difficult [to obey]. (1John 5:3) Many will say to Me on that day [when I judge them], ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, and driven out demons in Your name, and done many miracles in Your name?And then I will declare to them publicly, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME [you are banished from My presence], YOU WHO ACT WICKEDLY [disregarding My commands]. (Matthew 7:22-23)  I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels that you guard and keep these rules without bias, doing nothing out of favoritism. Do not hurry to lay hands on anyone [ordaining and approving someone for ministry or an office in the church, or in reinstating expelled offenders], and thereby share in the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin. (1 Timothy 5:21-22)