Tag: Love

True Discipleship

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“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

This is scary scripture because Jesus reveals something that most Christians don’t talk about. We believe in God’s grace, His saving grace, yet this scripture clearly tells us that we are to go and do God’s will and if not, the results are devastating. This scripture makes me think and ponder the ways in which I am doing God’s will.

Recently, a coworker told me about a conversation with another person about how to know God’s will. She stated if we are in an intimate relationship with God, then we know God’s will. I agree with that assessment. If we are seeking God, spending time with God, praying to God, then we take one step at a time with God in God’s will. God doesn’t give us a huge laid out plan of the future, He gives us one step at a time. The Holy Spirit prompts when appropriate and then there is our opportunity to follow.

Jesus is clear that we are to live a transformed life and the disobedient lifestyle is inconsistent with genuine discipleship. I don’t know about you, but seems clear to me that intentional faith development toward being a true disciple of Jesus Christ is important to our Lord Jesus. So much so, He’s willing to turn away from some and say “I never knew you”. I have a feeling this breaks Jesus’ heart as much as it broke God’s to see his Son die for the sins of all.

What are you doing today to reflect True Discipleship in Jesus Christ?

John 3:17 Verse often Overlooked

For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God. John 3:17-18 HCSB

Like you, I have heard John 3:16 many times over the years. Who can argue, it’s an awesome scripture that gives us the purpose of Jesus in one sentence. And it’s the most memorized scripture of all. However, I believe the following verse, John 3:17, is often overlooked. God did not send his Son into the world that he might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Did I just hear grace? He came to offer grace? He didn’t come to condemn me or the world? Now that will preach.

I was once condemned but then grace came and walked beside me. It covered me and showed me God’s love. It followed me and protected me before I even knew it was there. Then I realized that I needed to accept this grace that was chasing after me so I said “yes”. I said yes to accept the love of God through Jesus who died for me (and you) on the cross. Did I realize what I sinner I was, probably not so much, I was a child. However, the Holy Spirit works in ways to help you know and realize sin and this is truly the work of God. Unbelievers don’t always know they are sinning until they know God. They may feel unhappy or unfulfilled, but often times they don’t know they are doing something wrong. When we point fingers and tell people they are sinners, it’s condemning them. Why don’t we point our finger and say God loves you so much that there this thing called grace that covers all the sin you have ever committed.

I wonder, could we reach more for Christ if we offered grace through Him since God did not send him to condemn the world but to save it?

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