“And why call you Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Luke 6:46
Many who call Jesus Lord prophesy in His Name, cast out demons in His Name and do many wonderful works in Jesus Name, yet they do not the things which He says. They call Him Lord, Lord but He knows them not.
“21 Not every one who says unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that does the Will of My Father which is in Heaven.
22 Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your Name? and in Your Name have cast out devils? and in Your Name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, you who work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23
Instead of doing that which Jesus said, they worshipped Him with their mouths but their hearts grew farther and farther away from Him. They substituted the vain philosophies of man to gain victory in their daily living for God instead of simply believing the Cross of Christ, God’s Grace, gives us dominion over the sin that so easily besets us according to Romans 6:14:
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under Grace.”
The same Grace which saves us, keeps us. The problem arises when we begin to “gain” instead of “maintain” that which was freely given to whosoever will believe…Grace. Most don’t realize they are in fact trying to “gain” Grace. I didn’t. If you don’t believe me, try not doing that which you feel you must do and see how “saved” you feel. For me, it was my writing, something God has called me to do. There came a time when the Lord showed me my faith was being placed in my writing. In other words, if I didn’t write something that day I felt unworthy. The fact of the matter was (and is), what I do (writing in this case) in no way makes me “worthy” of anything. No matter my alms, my worthiness fell short. It is only through the Blood of Jesus Christ that I am cleansed and made worthy of God’s Grace. This fight of faith is indeed daily. The leaven is always there for the taking, tempting us to believe in that which we do. For many, this is the weekly sermon heard on Sunday mornings…believe in yourself. Exhorting them to NOT do the things which Jesus said but to do that which seems natural to the carnal mind which is at enmity with God (Romans 8:7).
“5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Do that which He says…Trust Him.
-Donna Clark Warren
Living in The Spirit 