CAREER CHRISTIAN
"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. On 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.' But I will reply, 'I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God's laws.'"
Matthew 7:21-23 (NLT)
Sobering, huh? One day, many will stand before Jesus and say, Look at everything we've done for You! Yet His response in this passage is, "But I never knew you..." One of the greatest deceptions believers can fall into is unintentionally trading a relationship with Jesus for a career in Christianity. We were never designed to pursue our relationship with Jesus like a vocation or a degree. There's a difference between performing for someone and knowing them.
The foundation of our faith is not what we do, but whether we truly know Jesus. We could do all the right things: have consistent quiet times, build a great tithing history, attend beautiful church services, never say a bad word, etc., and still miss out on really knowing Him. When we rely on our behavior alone for assurance of our salvation, we settle for performance instead of a relationship. When goodness becomes the goal instead of Jesus Himself, we can begin serving our need to feel worthy rather than pursuing Him. Instead of intimacy, we begin chasing reassurance. What a tragedy.
What seems like a scary statement from Jesus is a glimpse into the heart of the Father. Even in this warning, there's an invitation. When our actions flow from the pursuit of Him first, our activities become avenues to know the Father even more. He has always desired love, not for us to have a career in good behavior. He wants to be known and to know us.
This is why discipleship to Jesus is so important. Obedience matters, but it was always meant to flow from knowing Him. He wants to be with us. Relationship, not religious performance, has always been His heart.
APPLICATION: The life of discipleship to Jesus grows slowly, like a garden. It takes time, intentionality and connection. Spend some time today asking Jesus where He wants to connect with you in the things you are already doing. When He shows you a space, ask Him to speak and spend time with you there.
PRAYER: Jesus, thank You for wanting to be with me. I ask that You make me a true disciple, one who knows You and follows Your ways in all I do. I want to spend my life pursuing You. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?