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Obeying Christ is a tall order that can only be done through a continued relationship with Him, in service to His people.
In Matthew 7:21-23 it tells us: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many [a] miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’
In Matthew 7 we see a few things that stand out:
1. The first is the use of "Lord, Lord". Although we may call Him Lord it does not guarantee entrance to the kingdom of heaven.
2. The second thing that stands out is that though we may be active in His name, it too does not guarantee entrance into the kingdom of heaven.
3. The third and most important thing is we realize that only by doing the will of our Father in heaven do we get to both know Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.
The story of the rich young ruler is one that fascinates me as this is about a young man who has an immense amount of wealth. The story does not tell us how he had such wealth, weather by inheritance or by labor, but we do know that he had a lot of wealth and a hard time parting with it.
In Matthew 19:16-26 it says:
"And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?”And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” Then he *said to Him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man *said to Him, “All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be [b]complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.
And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?” And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
1. The first is the use of "Lord, Lord". Although we may call Him Lord it does not guarantee entrance to the kingdom of heaven.
2. The second thing that stands out is that though we may be active in His name, it too does not guarantee entrance into the kingdom of heaven.
3. The third and most important thing is we realize that only by doing the will of our Father in heaven do we get to both know Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.
The story of the rich young ruler is one that fascinates me as this is about a young man who has an immense amount of wealth. The story does not tell us how he had such wealth, weather by inheritance or by labor, but we do know that he had a lot of wealth and a hard time parting with it.
In Matthew 19:16-26 it says:
"And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?”And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” Then he *said to Him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man *said to Him, “All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be [b]complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.
And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?” And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Footnotes:
a.) Matthew 7:22 Or works of power
b.) Matthew 19:21 Or perfect
Scripture Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Last update: November 25, 2015 4:18 AM
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