Without laws the streets are not safe, the highways are dangerous, crime is rampant, and ordinary citizens will be disorderly. When the majority of a populace no longer love and honor, the law the nation will rapidly decay.
It is no different in the kingdom of God. When the disciples of Jesus Christ do not love and honor His law and commandments, godly living soon decays. Darkness creeps in, carnality grows, and the believers become more and more like the world around them. There is hardly a distinction between those who claim salvation and the ungodly.
The preachers still preach in Jesus’ name. The worshippers still proclaim their love for God. The believers are still praying in Jesus’ name casting out demons. Even miracles and signs and wonders are happening.
Jesus proclaims, “I never knew you.” He is not saying, “I don’t know who you are or that we have never been acquainted.” The Greek word He used is saying, “We have not had an intimate relationship.” Why would He say that? He said they are a “lawless one.” They have not loved my law. They have not “done the will of My Father in heaven.”
There is an inseparable link between loving the law of God and living a godly life.
If we are truly to be His disciples we must love as He loves. He loves the Father. He loves to do the will of His Father. So must we. {eoa}
Dr. F. Dean Hackett has served in full-time Christian ministry since October 1971. He has ministered throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, serving as pastor, conference speaker and mentor. He has planted four churches, assisted in planting 15 others, and currently serves as lead pastor of Living Faith Church in Hermiston, Oregon. Dr. Hackett founded Spirit Life Ministries International in 2001 to facilitate ministries in Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina and to open a training center for workers in those nations. You can find him at F. Dean Hackett – Foundational, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.