September 29, 2022 -- Matthew 7:21-23 -- Whole-hearted obedience
/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
These are perhaps some of the most difficult words Jesus speaks. Jesus did not dispute that they did mighty works in His Name, nor does he argue that they prophesied and cast out demons. He goes right to the heart of the matter: “I never knew you.” That is what staggers me. He then commands them to leave Him. They have no place in His presence in eternity. Their words, their works, and their heart all gave evidence of their lawlessness.
Is your heart submitted to King Jesus? Is it your desire to know Him and to walk with Him and to share this knowledge with anyone and everyone? Those who say “Lord, Lord’ are the ones who quietly do what He requires. The parable that follows this teaching is about a man who builds his house on the rock and the other who builds on sand. The one who built on the rock listened to the voice of the wise. The one who build his house on the sand defied all wisdom and advice and still built. Both of the houses looked good. Both of the houses are well furnished. The man who built on the rock is the man who was submitted to God and did what was good—only his house will weather the storm and the judgment.
Are you lawless in your ways. Do you think you know what God requires but you have no interest in the Bible, no commitment to prayer? Can you take instruction and correction? There are enough people who are declaring this and that to others doing so with no reference to what the Living God demands of you. Let Jesus’ words be a profound warning to you today. Go to the Bible. Read it. Treasure it. Obey what you read, doing so in the power of the Spirit so that your life shines the Light of Jesus Christ to the glory of the Father.
Our prayer today is Psalm 91. Notice the humble dedication to the way of the Living God which directs the heart of the original writer of this Psalm. Look at the promises of God at the end of the Psalm which are for those who keep His ways and commands,
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5 You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only look with your eyes
and see the recompense of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge—
10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
12 On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the adder;
the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
15 When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
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