We have been learning about being a ‘doer of the Word’ in the past couple of weeks. This month’s ‘Be like’ is in line with the same topic.
By now, you must be familiar with Matthew 7: 21-23
Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 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 in your name perform many miracles?” Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”
Indeed, a challenge! Jesus talks about doing great and mighty things in His name yet missing the mark. Considering the fact that His standards are so above the ones we think are the norm.
But Jesus never makes a statement just like that. He elaborates it with a parable in Matthew 7:24-27
Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.
The place where your foundation is set on is very important. We can do a lot of work for the Lord and in His name but it can also turn into ministry instruments that play the tune of pride and arrogance. But this can also be tools to build His Kingdom if our foundation is in the Lord.
Jesus only wanted His followers to live a life of simple obedience. Following it perfectly might be challenging (not impossible) but the Lord encourages us to try and be consistent.