Scripture
21 “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. 22On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ Matthew 7:21-23
Observation
These are some of the scariest scriptures in the Bible. These disciples had assumed they were tight with God and then received a rude awakening at the Heavenly Gates. The proof of my faith isn’t my good works but God’s will. Am I just using the gifts God has given me as proof of my good standing with God or am I actually standing with God as I use His gifts? Am I just working for God or with God? God doesn’t want an employee, He wants a disciple. The clearest contrast between these two is in today’s Old Testament reading in 1 Samuel 23: “Saul soon learned that David was at Keilah. “Good!” he exclaimed. “We’ve got him now! God has handed him over to me, for he has trapped himself in a walled town!” 8So Saul mobilized his entire army to march to Keilah and besiege David and his men. 9But David learned of Saul’s plan and told Abiathar the priest to bring the ephod and ask the Lord what he should do. 10Then David prayed, “O Lord, God of Israel, I have heard that Saul is planning to come and destroy Keilah because I am here. 11Will the leaders of Keilah betray me to him? And will Saul actually come as I have heard? O Lord, God of Israel, please tell me.” And the Lord said, “He will come.” Saul automatically assumed his will was God’s will and we all know what assuming does. He used favorable circumstances as proof of God’s favor on his plan. He didn’t stop to ask God if this what He wanted because, quite clearly, he didn’t want to hear differently. Saul used the position and power God had given him to fight and try to destroy God’s anointed. He claimed he was fighting for God when really Saul was fighting against Him.
Application
How can I make sure I’m not going to stand face to face with my Savior and hear the four most bone chilling words ever uttered, “I Never Knew You”? The answer is in the question. I must make the time and take the time to actually know the One I say I’m serving. I must pursue intimacy with the Almighty on the daily and throughout the day. How? To be a man after God’s own heart I must do what David did. Stop what I’m doing and ask God what He wants me to do. Intimacy with Cyndi would be impossible if I used the gifts, position and trust she has given me to make decisions for us without actually talking them through with her first. Assumption is a recipe for disaster in marriage and it’s an eternal disaster for a disciple of Christ. I often make the same mistake as Saul though. I take a favorable circumstance as evidence of God’s favor on me and then I move forward with hubris rather than the humility of David. How many Christians are spending their lives assuming God’s will based on mis-read signs? They have a good “working” relationship with God’s gifts, but not a waking and walking relationship with God Himself.
Observation
Thank you Jesus for the reality check this morning. I don’t like reading these verses but the Fear of You that they produce in me brings me to my knees. Im really good at imagining how much Your will matches up with my plans and then finding signs to confirm it. When really, this is just confirmation bias and is a sad substitute for a daily intimate relationship with You. I want to be a man after Your heart not just after Your gifts. I want to be a son living in obedience not just assuming Your agreement. I need to slow down, talk it through, and spend my time waiting on You. So that, one day, I will see You face to face and hear those seven heavenly words, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” (Mt. 25:23). I'm not going to assume a relationship with You, I'm going to pursue one with You!
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