Matthew 7:21-23
“Knowing the correct
password—saying ‘Master, Master,’ for instance—isn’t going to get you
anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my
Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting
up to me and saying, ‘Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the
demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.’ And do you
know what I am going to say? ‘You missed the boat. All you did was use
me to make yourselves important. You don’t impress me one bit. You’re
out of here.’
Scripture
quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002
by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs,
CO. All rights reserved
I will never forget the
Sunday morning more than 30 years ago when I sat in a worship service
and heard our pastor say, “I am taking a sabbatical, because I am
fighting a serious battle with depression.” You could have bowled me
over with a feather. This man who seemed so “together” – who was so
positive, encouraging and supportive to his “flock” – was a basket case
on the inside. He covered this very well, and it was heartbreaking to
discover how he had struggled internally…and to think that while he had
ministered to all of us, he was in desperate need of help for himself.
We
moved shortly after this, and I’m ashamed to say that I didn’t keep up
with this family, so I really don’t know if this man was ever able to
return to the pulpit or not. But as I read this passage today, I
thought about how many people are not who we think they are…and maybe
you are one of them. Perhaps you are battling an inner struggle – and
no one is aware, because you pretend that everything is alright. Maybe
you are trying to be strong for your family and friends, so you never
let down your guard and allow others to help in some way.
Or
maybe you are like the persons described by Jesus in this passage…the
ones who pretend to have it all together as Christians. Maybe you can
spout scripture and pray out loud with the best of them…attend Sunday
worship and Bible studies…sing in the choir…serve at the local soup
kitchen and work in everything from clothing drives to work days for the
elderly/infirm. And all the while, maybe you are empty and disjointed
on the inside…because you have not truly heeded the word of God for
your life.
There is a difference between being busy and being obedient…between being “good” and being truly faithful and faith-filled. A lot of us talk the talk, but we don’t walk the walk. And God knows the truth – about each of us!
Whether
others know who you really are or not…God knows. He wants us to be
real and raw with Him…to serve from the depths of our heart…to listen
for His voice and follow Him wherever He leads. This is a TALL
order…but nothing is too big for God. What He calls us to do…He will
see us through - with grace, mercy and strength.
When you project
your “Christian persona,” do people see the real deal…or someone you
want them to see? More importantly, who are you showing God? Is this
the day that you will start to operate in full obedience to His word and
will? Don’t you think it should be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
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