Matthew 7:21 House – (Relationship)

St Augustine said, “In the essentials unity, in the non-essentials liberty, but in all things charity.”

If you count the number of major, nationally recognized church denominations the number is estimated between 200 and 300. If you include independent and non-denominational groups the number may well exceed 1,000.

That’s a lot of “liberty.”

When it comes to the non-essentials of the Christian faith, we have a hard time getting along. I’ve seen churches split over everything from divine healing, to wearing high heels to church. Imagine the uproar in the congregation when the artist painted Adam and Eve with a belly button!

Yes, we can be that petty.

I’m not sure if I should be amused, or dismayed at the number of “variations” we have within the body of Christ today, solely because we cannot agree on the non-essentials.

I’m going with dismayed.

It’s a great tactic of the enemy. Get Christians fighting one another over the non-essentials and they’ll have less time focusing on what’s essential. Get the arm to say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” or the foot to say to the eye, “You can go nowhere without me,” and the body becomes useless in its dysfunction.

So what is essential to the faith?

It isn’t being Baptist or Methodist. Catholic or Protestant. It isn’t speaking in tongues or divine healing. My concern lies not in the name of the church you attend, but rather if your name is written in the Lambs Book of Life. (Rev 21:27)

Knowing Jesus is essential, and there’s only one way into that relationship.

You must be born again.

And that’s non-negotiable.

In Matthew 7:21-23 Jesus warns that not everyone who calls Him ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven. Only those who do the will of His Father who is in heaven.

In verse 23, Jesus said, “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”

He’s not going to tell them to depart because they didn’t belong to the “right” denomination, have the correct doctrine, or not live a “Christian” life.

And it’s not because they didn’t claim to know Him.

He will declare “I never knew you.”

These are the residents of the “Matthew 7:21 House.”

I was born again in 1982, and a man named Tony Evans had a ministry on Christian radio called “The Urban Alternative.” I loved both the style and substance of his messages, and they were influential in the early days of my spiritual growth.

Over the years, I’ve watched a number of his sermons online, have his study bible, bible commentary, and his book, “The Kingdom Agenda.” (His magnum opus) His ministry has blessed my life, and been instrumental in my spiritual growth.

Now imagine me driving a few hours north to his home church, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, and walking up to him in the foyer.

“Hi Tony.”

Any idea how he might respond?

Confused? Bewildered? Security?

How could he not know me!? I’ve followed his ministry for years, even provided financial support. All the videos, books, Instagram reels.

The answer of course is obvious.

I have a “relationship” with the ministry of Tony Evans, not with Tony Evans.

Those in the Matthew 7:21 House have a “relationship” with their church, but not with Jesus. They have the books, videos, t-shirts, coffee mugs, and bumper stickers, but don’t know Jesus. They live the “Christian life,” but don’t know Christ.

Tragically, they don’t know it.

Satan’s main objective is to keep you out of relationship with God by any means necessary, including deceiving you into believing that although you’ve never experienced the new birth, you already are.

It’s important to know the difference between fellowship and relationship.

Fellowship refers to the closeness, intimacy, and active interaction you have with others. It’s one of the reasons we love Small Groups in Church. (excluding introverts) Fellowship is important in building up one another, encouraging one another, and we need it.

But fellowship won’t save you, only relationship can do that.

Relationship with God doesn’t come through fellowship, it comes through adoption.

Adoption comes through the new birth, and the new birth comes through Jesus.

There is no other way.

The Gospel of Christ is both inclusive and exclusive. It is offered to all (inclusive), but the gate is narrow (exclusive). – (Acts 2:39)

Matthew 7:13-14 (CSB) “Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.”

Jesus is the narrow gate, the only name given under heaven whereby a man can be saved. (Acts 4:12)

Jesus, the only begotten Son of God.
Jesus, the second person of the Trinity.
Jesus, by whom all things have been created.
Jesus, who has always been and forever will be.
Jesus, who is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.
Jesus, who is God.

Many have been led through the wide gate and are traveling on the broad road.

The road leading to the Matthew 7:21 House.