Jesus Disciples’ Put Faith into Action
Matthew 7:21-23
“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 who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
This week's message revolves around a truth Jesus reflects on in His Sermon on the Mount, that those who enter the Kingdom of Heaven are the ones who do the will of the Father (Matthew 7:21-23). A final-day judgment and separation based on doing the will of the Father serves as the story for this week, a picture of distinguishing sheep from goats (Matthew 25:31-46). This distinction between “sheep” and “goats” is one of faith, but not in the sense that one might first think. Christians often draw the line of faith about God between those who do confess Jesus as Lord and those who do not. Such a distinction surely exists. But in this story, Jesus draws the separation between those who confess Him as Lord merely in word and those who confess Jesus as Lord inclusive of a lifestyle reflecting such faith. It is, for Jesus, a world of difference.
Prayer For the Week
Jesus Christ, let my confession of You as my Lord go beyond lip service to a lifestyle that brings You worship and praise. You have pointed out that Your “sheep” will care for other people as if they were taking care of You. Let my life display this mental picture from You as a reflection of my faith in You. I pray this Lord in Your name. Amen.
Psalm 119: Immersed in the Word of God
Welcome to an encounter with God through Psalm 119. Unique in the bible, this Psalm has 22 sections formed around the 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet (above). Each section contains 8 verses, easily making it the longest psalm at 176 verses. It uses illustrations to capture the value of God’s Word, with nearly a dozen different descriptors capturing the essense of His Word. You will often see the word law, but don’t let that throw you off. God’s law includes not just statutes and rules, but teachings and promises, guidance and principles, and ways of His heart. Here is the letter Aleph (א).
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 119:1-8
- Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the Lord. - Blessed are those who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart— - they do no wrong
but follow his ways. - You have laid down precepts
that are to be fully obeyed. - Oh, that my ways were steadfast
in obeying your decrees! - Then I would not be put to shame
when I consider all your commands. - I will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous laws. - I will obey your decrees;
do not utterly forsake me.
Read the versus of the Psalm.
Mark the words or phrases that catch your attention.
Meditate: talk (or better, write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect responses.
Pondering Point
The traditional sense of the letter Aleph signifies firsts, beginnings, or original essences. What does seeking after God first and foremost (or whole-heartedly) look like for a person in your shoes?