Matthew 7:13-29
Dear RTB’ers,
Much of Scripture is deeply personal for me, as it should be (ideally) for anyone reading these Spirit-inspired words. Today there are two items that touch me every time I read them.
Surprisingly, the first has a negative connotation: Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and cast out demons in Your name, and do many mighty works in Your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (vv. 21-23) In all my born-again years I have been very active in every church that I have attended – with finances, in leading Bible studies, and in children’s ministries. I often fear that I could say to God, “Lord, Lord, did I not…” and He could reply with “…depart from Me…” Instead I want to be … the one who does the will of my Father… So, all the more I need to seek His will, not mine.
The second item is much more positive – the wise man who built his house on the rock in Mt. 7:24-27. Those elements coming against the house reflect the strength of the roof (the rain), the foundation (the floods), and the walls (the winds). Carol and I chose these verses for the Gospel reading at our wedding. We wanted our family “house” to be built on “the rock”. And God has certainly been faithful for us these past 42+ years! Interestingly, our opening hymn at church this past Sunday was “Fairest Lord Jesus”. That hymn was also the opening song for our wedding. Memories…!!
Blessings!
See also: