Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven." (Matthew 7:21) In other words, some who believe Jesus is Lord will go to hell; that is, they are hell-bound believers. Such a statement shocks most religious people. They are convinced that all believers will go to heaven. However, Jesus disagrees with them.
Some believers, in fact Jesus said many, will not lose their souls because of inactivity. He said, "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'" (Matthew 7:22) These believers were busy doing many things--in the Lord's name. He did not reject them because of laziness or indifference. Rather, they will lose their souls because they did it their way.
Jesus said, "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'" (Matthew 7:23) These people acknowledged Jesus as Lord, did many things in His name, but did not act according to His law. They were lawless; that is, they acted outside the bounds of Christ's law, the gospel. When we go beyond Christ's doctrine, we transgress and separate ourselves from Him (2 John 9). That's why He says, "I never knew you." They had no fellowship with Him in life; therefore, they will not have it in death.
King Saul is an example of one who acted in the name of the Lord, but did so in a lawless manner. God commanded him to kill all the Amalekites and their animals (1 Samuel 15:1-3). Saul spared the king and the best of the animals (1 Samuel 15:9). He did this thinking he was keeping God's command and would offer Him sacrifices (1 Samuel 15:13, 15). God, through Samuel, rebuked Saul for his sin. Samuel said, "Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams." (1 Samuel 15:22) Though he believed in God and acted in His name, hoping to please Him, God rejected Saul, and he suffered the penalty (1 Samuel 15:23).
Who are today's hell-bound believers? All in the denominations. Their religious beliefs and/or practices are not according to Christ's law. Most have names that are not biblical. Their creeds contradict the gospel. Many of their practices are without Divine authority. For instance, where in the New Testament of Jesus Christ is the authority for instrumental music? God commands us to teach and admonish one another in singing (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). This is a positive command, just like the one He gave Saul. Yet, people want to go beyond that command; they change it and add mechanical instruments. Do they sincerely want to please God? Yes, but God did not ask them to offer this sacrifice. He would rather they obey than sacrifice. Sadly, these believers are hell-bound.
Some churches filled with believers reject instrumental music, but accept the social gospel. These churches offer pizza parties, basketball games, and trips to summer camp as a way of drawing in and keeping young people and their parents. They do these things based on the idea that good is done when people are brought to church--through whatever means. These burnt offerings do not please the Lord. There is no New Testament authority for social gospel activities. Churches are supposed to teach the gospel and allow it to draw people (cf. John 6:44-45). The gospel is God's power unto salvation (Romans 1:16). Believers who engage in the social gospel are lawless and hell-bound.
For some, this article may be tough to take. The word hell stirs people. To say that some are definitely hell-bound really troubles some folks. Yet, it is the truth as set forth by Jesus. If we honor and respect Him, we will seriously consider these matters. Are we believers who are hell-bound? If we act without law, yes. If we do the Father's will, the answer is "no." Which is it for you?