For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you
We may talk a good game. We may be great actors. We may attend church every time the doors are open. We may have been to all the Bible studies and so forth. But, there’s coming a day when God is going to filter all of the fluff in our lives and demand that we put up, or shut up!
In Christ’s teaching about that great day in which we will appear before His Judgment Seat, He makes a distinction between those who SAY and those who DO.
Matthew 7:21 – 22, “Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. (BOLD added for emphasis)
22 Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Doeth the will of My Father – One of the most misunderstood passages in the Bible. So many believers look for something they think they are to do for the Lord. Maybe be a minister, a pastor, a worship leader? All those things could be true, however there is a process, the process of “Doing the Will of My Father” that so often gets overlooked.
We don't always like the process of things these days. We want to eat the cake, but we don't want to cook the ingredients, or wait for the cake to cook. We want it now!
However, there is a spiritual process, a journey to knowing the Lord and doing His will.
1st Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us we must be full of joy, pray without ceasing, and to give thanks in every circumstance.
Why? For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
If we live these three scriptures, we find ourselves in a relationship with the Lord where we know Him but most importantly, He knows us and we produce fruit.
Jesus went on to say we will be known by the fruit, or evidence, we produce. Did you get that? We will not be measured by our professions or confessions, we will be measured by the completion of the mission!
Everyday churches are closing their doors and pastors are moving on to other jobs and vocations because their church was too content running experiments in the safety of a sanitized environment rather than getting out there, doing something meaningful and impactful, with real-life examples of people’s lives being transformed by the renewing, life-giving power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
It’s time for some real reproductive power!
Some real fruit-bearing power!
Some real Holy Ghost power!
We need to move beyond the hypothetical and theoretical to the practical and powerful! There seems to be no sense of urgency! I believe we are in the Last Days! Due to complacency one of the largest missionary fields are reaching those who sit on a pew in church every week.
I often ask people if they know the Lord and they often answer with their church attendance record.
One day soon we’re all going to stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ. One day we’re going to be put in the very precarious situation where we too will be judged on the deeds done in our body. We are not going to be able to talk God into anything. He knows your every thought and action, before you do.
Will the Lord one day say, “I know him or her, or will he say depart from Me for I never knew you?
Will we be those who “say” we did this in your name Lord with no fruit, or proof, to substantiate our case? Or, will we be numbered among those who actually had the boldness, the courage, the urgency to step out and make a real difference in our generation!
I challenge you to read 1st Thessalonians 16-18. Commit yourselves to a walking, talking, praying, to a life changing relationship with the Lord. You will wonderfully never be the same.
