Scripture:
Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV
[21] “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. [22] 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?’ [23] And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Observation:
I have often thought about this set of scriptures. It seems to stack up against another set of scripture later on in Matthew that goes over a similar set of perspectives. But first, let’s look at what has been chosen this morning then we will go look at Matthew chapter 25 verses 34 through 40. There is a warning here in these scriptures Jesus is speaking to those who go to church. Telling them about the position of their hearts. HE starts by saying not all of those who say LORD LORD will enter into the kingdom of heaven. As HE continues HE describes what seems to me to be a works-based salvation. It’s a group of people hoping that what they do will get them into the kingdom. The phrase “Didn’t we” is what catches my eye. These folks are looking for justification through the work they did. ” didn’t we prophecy in your name, cast out demons in Your name, do mighty works in your name.” The phrase that follows those statements is not a small warning it is huge and needs to be paid attention to. These people are probably going to be sitting in church today with their hands held high praising Jesus. Hoping to earn their spot. Now let’s look at the other set of scripture. Matthew chapter 25 and verses 34 through 40. It’s a great contrast of people.
Application:
Today is the day that we celebrate the resurrection of our LORD and SAVIOR. It’s the day that the picture of victory that was spoken about in the Book of Genesis was realized. Our Lord walked out of a borrowed tomb. Raising to life again after a horrible death that HE endured so that we could walk in the newness of life. So that our hearts could be changed. That’s not a small thing. One of the last things HE said on the cross is it is finished. That means the work is done. What HE did for us sealed the deal. We need only receive the free gift of salvation. There is nothing we can do to earn it. Our debt was paid. By the sacrifice that was made. I have to say that kind of love is hard to understand. We are from a society that teaches us that if you want something you have to earn it. So we go to the altar and give our lives to Jesus accepting HIM as our LORD but forgetting that HE is our SAVIOR. We do what HE says but not from our heart position. Instead, we do it because we are trying to work our way to the kingdom that is freely given. The kingdom gate was opened to us at the very moment of Salvation. We do not have to work for it. But here is where it can get a little muddy. So I’m asking the Holy Spirit to explain this for me. Once we truly know Jesus as our LORD and our SAVIOR, our hearts will change. Our lives will be not about us anymore. We will be focused more on others and less on ourselves. We will want to see people do good and treat them well whether they deserve it or not is not up to us. Our hearts will be bound up with love for GOD and our neighbors. With grace and mercy. Being full of the fruit of the Spirit. That stems from love. Jesus finished the work on the cross. HE gave HIS life out of love. 1st John Chapter 4 verse 19 says we love because HE first loved us. Our love for others comes from a heart that has been changed by the gift of salvation. It has nothing to do with someone we have to earn. The work is finished. You are free to love. Just because it’s the right thing to do.
Prayer:
Father, you have done all the work. But we seem to think that we can earn something that you have given us. We know that we can’t earn it but we get to this place in our mind that tells us to work hard and we can. Help us to change our hearts. Speak the truth into them. The work has been done. We want our hearts to be full of you. Your word tells us that others will know that we are your disciples because we love others. We ask this morning that you would fill our hearts with the same kind of love that you gave us. We want to be used by you. Our lives do not belong to us. You have purchased them with a price. The life of your son whom you raised from the dead to show us that death is not the end. It’s the beginning of a life in one of two places. We desire to live in eternity with you. So we receive the free gift of salvation. Fill our hearts with that same kind of love the kind that will consider others as more important the kind that will set aside our comfort for the comfort of others. We love you and we want that to show in all that we do. You are our LORD and you have saved us and set us free to love. Change our hearts so that they are in the right position. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.