Matthew 7:21 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.

December 6, 2021

Happy Monday Everyone,

The scripture for today is Matthew 7:21

Jesus makes it clear that our confession alone is not what secures our place in Heaven. It is the life that we live that conveys our oneness with Christ. Out of that union, we learn to follow in His footsteps and do the will of our Father in heaven. The confession is empty if it is not accompanied by a life of faith that is lived to the glory of God.

“The words “not” and “but” highlight the strong contrast between the mere talker and the actual doer of God’s will. Mere profession is worthless. He who pretends to know God and yet disobeys His commandments “is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:4), irrespective of any appearance to the contrary. Those who do not know the will of God are not held accountable for it (Luke 12:47, 48), but those who have heard God’s voice speaking to their hearts and yet persist in ways of their own choosing “have no cloke for their sin” (John 15:22) and are in danger of presumption.” The SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 5, p. 358

“The test of sincerity is not in words, but in deeds. Christ does not say to any man, what say ye more than others? but, “What do ye more than others?” Matthew 5:47. Full of meaning are His words, “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” John 13:17. Words are of no value unless they are accompanied with appropriate deeds.” Ellen White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 272

Works do not save us but our works certainly indicate whether our lives have been “transformed” or not. We do not want to give “lip service” to God but rather render to Him our all.

God bless you as you continue in His service.

Tim