Matthew 7:21 (NIV): “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
I think I’m like most people. I want to enter the kingdom of heaven. I want that. It sounds good to me.
Yet, Jesus’ words in the above verse give me concern. It seems that I must figure out what Jesus means. Jesus says that I need to do the Father’s will. I can’t just say that I am following Jesus. I need to be aligned with the Father’s plans and purposes. How do I do that?
I’ve come to the conclusion that I can’t trust my own thoughts. Left to myself, I could come up with something that is opposed to God. I also cannot trust what others do or say. I must embrace what Jesus did. I must know what He did, what He said and what He embraced. Based on that, I need to read, study, and trust Scripture. That is where I learn about Jesus and how to do the will of His Father.
But I can’t stop there. Many people read God’s word and impose their own agendas on His word. I think that is what Jesus was referring to when He shared the words in this verse. For example, when I read the entirety of God’s word, human life is sacred from conception to natural death. The very image of God is found in human life. To use the Bible to support abortion is wrong and means that they are among those who say “Lord, Lord.” Strong words, but I believe them. I must follow God even if my society is not.
I love those who disagree with me. But I must speak the truth in love and share the words of Jesus with those who are going down the wrong path. Perhaps they will hear and avoid the alternative.
Prayer: Father in heaven, I want to let go and let You have Your complete way in my life. I want to know You, as You have revealed Yourself in Scripture, and do Your will.
