In Matthew 7:22-23 we are introduced to a contrast of

1. Man’s claim or evidence of belonging or credentials to enter the Kingdom being doing miracles in the name of the Lord, virtually saying we operated upon Your promise, and tested and proved Mark 16:17-18; and
2. Their firm rejection from the King of Heaven and their denied access into the kingdom (I never knew you)

There is something beyond signs and wonders that qualifies for acceptance. Let’s consider the biblical parlance here of the word “know.” To get an understanding or proper sense, consider Genesis 4:1-3, 25 and Hosea 1. It speaks to the placement of seed in the woman, which when conceived produces an offspring.

And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord. And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground… And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew. Genesis 4:1,2,25

The matter at hand is what seed was placed in these ministers that provided lawlessness? Certainly not the seed of Christ (1 John 3:7-10).

Signs and wonders without the underlying character of Christ is the manifestation of the seed of Satan (2 Corinthians 4:1,2) and you whose life is without God’s character is a son of the devil, and those who follow such are deceived.

Philippians 1:10,11 raises a question to answer? Are you filled with the fruits of righteousness?

That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:10-11

Would you study Galatians 5:16,19-25 and now contrast signs and wonders with the true product of the seed of Christ (1 Corinthians 13:2-13; 1 John 3:16-18)?

This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh… Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:16,19-25

This is the challenge to the faith we proclaim today. Are you in Christ and is the Lord in you? Selah


Pastor Afolabi Oladele