Matthew 7:21-29 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 7:21-29 on biblegateway.com
Verse 21"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 in heaven. Verse 22On 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 deeds of power in your name?' Verse 23Then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.' Verse 24"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. Verse 25The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. Verse 26And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. Verse 27The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell-and great was its fall!" Verse 28Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, Verse 29for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
Devotion
The words of the spiritual, “I Got Shoes,” gets to the heart of Jesus’ words from Matthew. “Everybody talkin’ about hebben ain’t a-gwine dar…..” That song came out of the days of slavery in our country. Black people would observe how white folks would go to church, sing their hymns with gusto and discuss theology with vigor; but slavery, with all its injustice and abuse, was regarded as a God-given privilege.
Christians are tempted to make a big show of their faith. But, according to Jesus’ words, that’s not the foundation on which our life of service as a Christian is to be built. Micah the prophet makes a similar point. Spectacular sacrifices do not impress the Lord, when it comes to removing our sin. What is good and what the Lord asks is to “do justice and love kindness and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:6-8)
Prayer
Lord, use your Word and your Spirit to keep reminding us that this religion business is more than show-and-tell, more than words and rhapsodies, but that in deeds of love and mercy your heavenly kingdom comes. Amen.