March 30, 2022 -- Matthew 7:21-23 -- To be known by Jesus

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

“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. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Matthew 7:21-23 ESV

Do you feel the intensity of these words and the warning? At the end, the day of judgment, there will be people who cry out to Jesus and point out the great works they did in His Name. They cast out demons, but Jesus will call them workers of lawlessness. They prophesy. But Jesus will reject them. Notice that Jesus does not dispute these mighty acts nor deny that they did powerful deeds. Who then can be saved?!

Look at verse 21. Some people cry “Lord, Lord” as if invoking Jesus’ Name would be enough. Jesus judges them justly saying, “I never knew you”. The contrast is made with those who are not boastful of the things they did in Jesus' Name, nor are they claiming a false intimacy, but their lives are conformed to the will of God—so that their lives are a living sacrifice, offering the fruit of lips that praise the Father.

This makes me think of the words of the prophet Isaiah, who spoke this word of the LORD; “But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at My word.” Isaiah 66:2b. The question I often ask people “did you do your devotions this morning” is actually inappropriate. Considering today’s text and warning, the better, and more important question is this: “Did you spend time with the LORD and tremble at His word?” The trembling can be mixtures of joy and humility; awe and wonder; all wrapped up in ever-growing, wide-eyed thankfulness for all His goodness which leads one to look to the Father, as a the One Who is the source of all good and the heart’s greatest desire, and the mind’s intense focus to satisfy its thirst for true knowledge of Him.

Father in heaven, thank You for the beauty of Jesus. Your Son commands Your people, "Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him, Jesus, God has set His seal." Help us, Spirit of God, the Seal of Jesus, to believe in Him Who sent You, the Father. In believing, with eyes full of child-like adoration and hearts full of praise, may then our hands and feet be moved at the impulse of the Father's love to act in humble accord with all He commands. Amen.

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