SCRIPTURE: Matthew 7
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. [Matthew 7:21] The teachings of Jesus are hard, very hard. They go against the grain of human nature. They cut to the heart of selfishness and pride. In fact, Jesus calls them a narrow, difficult road that few find. And now Jesus adds that only those who do what Jesus says will enter the Kingdom of God (or ‘heaven’, which represents God).
Even though Jesus’ way is hard, it is the best way. It is a solid foundation for this life and the next. In fact, it is the pattern for life in the next age. Those who refuse to aim for it here show that they do not want it there. In other words, we get the life we choose. Live for self, and we inherit the eternal ‘fruit’ of selfish living. Live for others, and we inherit the eternal ‘fruit’ of selfless living.
We do not earn our welcome into the kingdom of God. We are graciously, freely welcome. But having been welcomed, if we refuse to start living in the kingdom way of life (to the best of our ability), we show that we have not eagerly received that free gift. It’s the same as forgiveness: if we refuse to forgive others after we have been forgiven, we show that we reject the free gift of forgiveness.
Jesus indicates that people will be surprised. People who were convinced that they were on His team will find out that He never knew them. This is not being unfair, He did not know them because they did not know Him. He is always available to all who seek Him. If they did not seek Him, He would not known them. In the end, no genuine God and Jesus seekers will be rejected, only those who really didn’t want Him.
How can I know whether I really know or want Him? Well, how much do I want to be like Him? To love like Him, to forgive like Him, to be generous like Him? To be humble and serve like Him? This is the fruit that He is talking about. This is the fruit that does not judge others, and that does only to others what we would want them to do for us.
How strong is my desire to know Jesus, and be known by Him?
PRAYER:
Lord, I want to know You, and I want to want You more!
You are not alone there. I will look into it and see if I can find some clarification on that. For those interested, verse 6 says:
“Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.
I dont understand verse six.
The passage tells me how to live for Christ each day.
How do I love my neighbour? Do I love him as I love myself? If I see him with all his mistakes, quirks and percularities, do I really love Him? God give me the eyes to see You. Help me to see all with the eyes of Christ.
Lord, teach me to pray. Help me to talk with You each day. You know my needs and the Way I should go. Help me by Your Spirit to ask in earnestness, to seek the ‘pearl’ of my life and to knock firmly, with determination to be let in. Be the Ruler of my heart.
When God is my Guide and as I prayerful enter each day as the day of my Lord, He will guide me on the Way. And as a Christ follower, others will see the fruit of my labours. They will know that we are Christians by our love.
As in all things, open the eyes of my heart Lord so that I may see You and also do as You have told me. Help me to continue to build on the sure foundation so that my knowing and loving and doing are all rooted in You. May the evidence of my life in You be seen by the fruit of the Spirit in me. Help me also this day to be a worker in Your vineyard.
Jesu, Jesu,
Fill us with Your love, show us how to serve
The neighbors we have from You.
Kneels at the feet of his friends,
Silently washes their feet,
Master who acts as a slave to them.
Refrain
Neighbors are rich and poor,
Neighbors are black and white,
Neighbors are near and far away.
Refrain
These are the ones we should serve,
These are the ones we should love;
All these are neighbors to us and You.
Refrain
Loving puts us on our knees,
Serving as though we are slaves,
This is the way we should live with You.
Refrain
Kneel at the feet of our friends,
Silently washing their feet,
This is the way we should live with You.