Matthew 7:21-23 - Having A Relationship With Jesus Is A Must!
Matthew 7:21-23 (NIV) "Not everyone who says
to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of
heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father
who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that
day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your
name, and in your name drive out demons and
perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them
plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you
evildoers!'
COMMENTARY PEARL
Does todays verse make you nervous?
And what about the next verse, which states,
Many will say, Lord, did we not prophesy in
your name, and in your name drive out demons and
perform many miracles? Jesus answers that
question with, I never knew you. Away from me, you
evildoers!
You might say to yourself, If those
miracle-working, demon-busting guys arent making it with
the Lord, what about me? Ah, but dont be
intimidated by people who seem to be on some higher
spiritual plain. If Gods not impressed with
so-called miracle workers, we shouldnt feel
insecure around them, either.
Now, dont get me wrong. Bonafide
miracles are going on. But if all you hear is
Lord, we did this, Lord, we did that,
Lord, look at what was done over here by us,
realize that God is not swayed by showy drama.
Hes not impressed with all the wes.
Neither is he impressed when we recount to him all
our good works, all that weve done. Such
things are never a passport into heaven.
The one who quietly perseveres and does
the simple, everyday will of the Father will
enter the kingdom.
And what is Gods will? To be like
Jesus. To let him shine through you in a patient,
loving, and enduring way. Whatever you do, whatever
you are, as long as youre like Jesus,
youre in Gods will. Thats not such a scary
idea after all, is it?
Lord, thank you that I dont need to
put on a show to impress you or anyone else.
Thank you that my task is to imitate you in every
way I can, every day of my life. Help me today
to do just that. [Joni Eareckson Tada Daily
Devotional for June 5, 2020:
http://www.joniandfriends.org/daily-devotional]
COMMENTARY
The Priority Of Relationship
Ephesus was the home of a tremendous
ministry. Despite harsh persecution, the church
planted by Paul endured opposition, spread the
gospel, and was quick to challenge false prophets.
But 30 years after the apostle left, Johns
revelation included a stern warning for those
believers.
Imagine how the words of Revelation 2
must have struck the Ephesians when they read
them. After complimenting their service to the
gospel, Christ said, But I have this against you
... That phrase was no doubt extremely
disconcerting. The Lord warned them that they had left
their first love. In other words, all of their
work was being done with wrong motives.
Christ called the Ephesians to remember
their love for Him and their delight in His
salvation. Service is no substitute for an intimate
relationship, but modern believers continue to fall into
this subtle trap. The commendable things that we
do count for nothing unless they stem from a
vibrant personal connection with God. Our work
cant be effective or fruitful unless He is in
it.
In fact, God is more interested in you
and your personal relationship with Him than in
a thousand lifetimes of good works. He desires
to be the satisfaction and delight of His
children so that their service is a result of loving
devotion.
There are plenty of wrong reasons to
labor for the kingdom. However, God is satisfied
only with service motivated by love for Him. He
wants those with selfish intentions to return to
their first love. In that way, hearts and minds
can be renewed, and service to the Lord will be
more fruitful. [In Touch Daily Devotional by
Charles Stanley at www.intouch.org re Rev. 2:1-7]
Fearlessly Facing Eternity
Joe Allbright is a fair and fearless West
Texas rancher, a square-jawed, rawboned man with a
neck by Rawlings. In Andrews County, where I was
raised, everyone knew him.
One of Joes sons, James, and I were
best friends in high school. We played football
together. (More honest, he played while I guarded the
team bench.) One Friday night after an
out-of-town game, James invited me to stay at his house.
By the time we reached his property, the hour
was way past midnight, and he hadnt told his
father he was bringing anyone home.
Mr. Allbright didnt know me or my
vehicle, so when I stepped out of the car in front of
his house, he popped on a floodlight and aimed
it right at my face. Through the glare I saw
this block of a man (I think he was in his
underwear), and I heard his deep voice. Who are
you? I gulped. My mind moved at the speed of cold
honey. I started to say my name but didnt. Mr.
Allbright doesnt know me. My only hope was that
James would speak up. A glacier could have melted
before he did so. Finally he interceded. Its
okay, Dad. Thats my friend Max. Hes with
me. The light went off, and Mr. Allbright threw
open the door. Come on in, boys. Food is in
the kitchen.
What changed? What made Mr. Allbright
flip off the light? One fact. I had aligned
myself with his son. My sudden safety had nothing
to do with my accomplishments or offerings. I
knew his son. Period.
For the same reason, you need never fear
Gods judgment. Not today. Not on Judgment Day.
Jesus, in the light of Gods glory, is speaking
on your behalf. Thats my friend, he
says. And when he does, the door of heaven opens.
Trust Gods love. His perfect love.
Dont fear he will discover your past. He already
has. Dont fear disappointing him in the
future. He can show you the chapter in which you
will. With perfect knowledge of the past and
perfect vision of the future, he loves you perfectly
in spite of both.
Perfect love can handle your fear of
judgment. [Max Lucado Daily Devotional at
maxlucado.com]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
Matthew 7:21-23 - Knowing Jesus And Doing
God's Will:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2016/20160502-1516.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio (currently live):
https://bible.awr.org/the-warning/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug
Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
