Matthew 7:21-23
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 7:21
Click to read passage
It’s scary to even imagine Jesus saying these words to anyone: “I never knew you!” What’s even more shocking is that these could be believers who not only called Jesus, “Lord”, but also prophesied, exorcised, and performed mighty works in his name. Jesus adds: it’s not just a few but many, who will be surprised by being denied entry into the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus is addressing people who were raised to believe that saying the right words, following the proper rituals and motions, basically maintaining the outward forms of religious behaviour would guarantee their place in God’s kingdom. But we’ve already learned yesterday and many times before that that our Lord looks at our life, our heart and the fruit that they bear (v.20). Of course, this doesn’t mean next Sunday no need to come to church. This doesn’t mean we don’t need to read the Bible or pray anymore. What then do we need to do?
First, we must overcome our shock and come to terms with the fact that not every prophet, exorcist, and miracle worker out there is doing the will of God. These outward signs of power and religiosity don’t necessarily confirm they are truly holy or close to God.
Then we must ask, “What does a life that’s doing the will of God look like?” Matthew the Gospel writer gives us the answer later in his book in Matthew 25:41-45. Jesus teaches that the Son of Man will judge the nations and separate the sheep and goats. The sheep are commended for caring for the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the sick, and the imprisoned as unto the Lord. But the goats are driven out from his presence for failing to do these very same things. Notice in ch.25:44 that the “goats” also called Jesus, “Lord”; they also were perplexed by their exemption from God’s kingdom; and in the end they went into eternal punishment. What went wrong? They were missing a life that was lived in love for God by loving their neighbours.
Even Apostle Paul proclaimed, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing” (1 Cor 13:1-3). James 1:27 confirms this: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”
What makes a true believer stand out in a nominally Christian crowd is how they love God by loving the people around them, especially those who are in need.
Reflection:
Are there any such persons in your sphere of influence? What is one way that you can minister to them today? Ask God to open your eyes to see more of such people who need to experience the love of God. Ask God to use you to be that channel of love to them.
Prayer:
Dear God, forgive us for the times when our lips called you, “Lord,” but our lives were lived only for ourselves. Help us to live a life worthy of this calling that you’ve given to us as your children and your ambassadors of love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Click to read passage
It’s scary to even imagine Jesus saying these words to anyone: “I never knew you!” What’s even more shocking is that these could be believers who not only called Jesus, “Lord”, but also prophesied, exorcised, and performed mighty works in his name. Jesus adds: it’s not just a few but many, who will be surprised by being denied entry into the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus is addressing people who were raised to believe that saying the right words, following the proper rituals and motions, basically maintaining the outward forms of religious behaviour would guarantee their place in God’s kingdom. But we’ve already learned yesterday and many times before that that our Lord looks at our life, our heart and the fruit that they bear (v.20). Of course, this doesn’t mean next Sunday no need to come to church. This doesn’t mean we don’t need to read the Bible or pray anymore. What then do we need to do?
First, we must overcome our shock and come to terms with the fact that not every prophet, exorcist, and miracle worker out there is doing the will of God. These outward signs of power and religiosity don’t necessarily confirm they are truly holy or close to God.
Then we must ask, “What does a life that’s doing the will of God look like?” Matthew the Gospel writer gives us the answer later in his book in Matthew 25:41-45. Jesus teaches that the Son of Man will judge the nations and separate the sheep and goats. The sheep are commended for caring for the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the sick, and the imprisoned as unto the Lord. But the goats are driven out from his presence for failing to do these very same things. Notice in ch.25:44 that the “goats” also called Jesus, “Lord”; they also were perplexed by their exemption from God’s kingdom; and in the end they went into eternal punishment. What went wrong? They were missing a life that was lived in love for God by loving their neighbours.
Even Apostle Paul proclaimed, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing” (1 Cor 13:1-3). James 1:27 confirms this: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”
What makes a true believer stand out in a nominally Christian crowd is how they love God by loving the people around them, especially those who are in need.
Reflection:
Are there any such persons in your sphere of influence? What is one way that you can minister to them today? Ask God to open your eyes to see more of such people who need to experience the love of God. Ask God to use you to be that channel of love to them.
Prayer:
Dear God, forgive us for the times when our lips called you, “Lord,” but our lives were lived only for ourselves. Help us to live a life worthy of this calling that you’ve given to us as your children and your ambassadors of love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.