Daily Devotion (August 17, 2024)
Matthew 7:21–23 (NKJV)
Jesus says in Matthew 7:21–23,
21“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
22Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’
23And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
I believe we should love God’s church. We are to be a positive active member in God’s church. Jesus said in John 10:10. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly.”
“I am confident in telling others that Jesus is the only path to a fulfilling and abundant life. It is disheartening that so few Christians truly embrace the abundance that Jesus offers. I believe the most powerful words we can share are those of Jesus. If my faith in Jesus, the Church, and the Bible offends others, then I accept being seen as an offender.”
I am more concerned that people are going to Hell instead of going to Heaven. I am concerned professing Christians are not really concerned with their relationship with Jesus. I am more concerned that many have made just lip service to God and not truly given their lives to Him.
Are we so concerned with offending people that we do not present the Gospel message to them? Are we willing to allow them to go to Hell! Once a person dies there is no turning back! It is either Heaven or Hell.
Jesus did offend people during His time. His teachings and actions often challenged the established norms and religious authorities of His day. For example, He frequently clashed with the Pharisees and other religious leaders, criticizing their hypocrisy and rigid adherence to tradition.
In Matthew 13:57, it is noted that people in Jesus’ hometown took offense at Him, and Jesus remarked, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home”. His commitment to truth and righteousness sometimes led to conflict and offense, but it was always rooted in His love and desire to guide people towards a deeper understanding of God’s will.
We never intentionally offend people. But we are promised if we talk about Jesus people will be offended. Christianity is more than just saying the words it is accepting and living the words.