^“21 Not every one that says unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that does the Will of My Father which is in Heaven.

²² Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your Name? and in Your Name have cast out devils? and in Your Name done many wonderful works?

²³ And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, you that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23

Prophesying, casting out devils and doing many wonderful works in the Name of Jesus are not qualifications for being born again.

“Then shall the Kingdom of Heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the Bridegroom.

² And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

³ They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

⁴ But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

⁵ While the Bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

⁶ And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the Bridegroom comes; go you out to meet Him.

⁷ Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

⁸ And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

⁹ But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go you rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

¹⁰ And while they went to buy, the Bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

¹¹ Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

¹² But He answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.” Matthew 25:1-12

Religiously keeping your lamps trimmed and nicely kept are not the requirement for being born again.

 ^“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Believing that God sent His only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty of sin (death) for whosoever will believe and that He was Resurrected on the third day, which is the proof that every sin was paid in its entirety for those who have believed, and that He now sits at the Right Hand of the Throne of God making intercession through His Sacrifice for those who have freely chosen to follow Him is the requirement for being born again.  Jesus Christ went to the Cross once for whosoever will believe.  Those who have believed go daily.

“And He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Luke 9:23

In order for the Disciple of Christ to follow Him, we must bear our cross…we must pick up our cross and crucify ourselves daily.  We cannot pick up or bear our cross lest we first deny our self will, self efforts, abilities, intellect, etc. and then only can we follow Jesus on a daily basis.  This is not for Salvation, we were born again when we first believed in the Cross of Christ.  However, for God’s Grace which always sufficient unto the day, we must follow Jesus as a child, utterly dependent upon His atoning work on the Cross for the supply in which we need today.  Sufficient for tomorrow is the evil thereof.  Today is the day of Salvation.

“And He said unto me, My Grace is sufficient for you: for My Strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the Power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

Narrow is the way and few have found it.  Today many will go about trimming their candles and doing many wonderful works in the Name of Jesus.  They believed upon Jesus Christ for Salvation but have since followed the commandments of men as doctrine and added to His Work.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified has been corrupted and they have buried their talent in the dirt waiting on their Lord’s return. The Light which was once given to them upon Salvation, has been taken away and given to another with an abundance of light.  They have been a slothful servant.   Are they saved?  I wouldn’t dare to say.  The Word of God says Jesus did not know them.

^“13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: ¹⁴ Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13-15

-Donna Clark Warren