Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

This verse is quoted fairly often, but it seems to me that it tends to be quoted one minute and forgotten the next. We don’t take the time really to consider what it is to “do the Father’s will.” However, a verse that came up just recently answers that question nicely. Micah 6:8 says, “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” I wrote a good bit on that exactly a week ago. The problem that Jesus is referencing here is that some people get caught up in “doing things for God,” when they are really doing things to make themselves feel important, or be admired by others. “Walking humbly with your God” precludes that sort of motivation. The reason Billy Graham, for example, is so widely admired is that he has always lived according to the Micah verse. I don’t think anyone doubts the welcome that awaits him in heaven! What Jesus says here is especially pointed because it directly affects “Christian Ministries.” Just because someone has something that sounds pious on their business card doesn’t mean they are really serving God. This is what Jesus was talking about just before this in terms of judging a tree by its fruit. Actually, the bigger the title, the more careful we need to be to check out the fruit! Some see the Church as an opportunity to build their own kingdom, and Jesus has nothing to do with them.

When I am in ministry myself, I’ve really got to take this to heart. I’m in a somewhat ambiguous situation, being considered by many a “missionary,” when I have no sending body, no “mission board.” I have no titles to boast of, teaching in secular schools for income while pastoring a small flock of mixed nationalities. However, I must be careful not to take pride in my humility! I’ve got to be very careful to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with my God. At this point I am not anxious about entry into God’s kingdom, because I know that I am relying on Christ’s atoning work on the cross, but I must not take that for granted, but rather press in to make myself more available to Him so that I may receive more of Him, letting Him work through me for His glory.

Father, thank You again for Your patience with me. You did some really good stuff yesterday, but I messed it up a bit trying to be clever. Forgive me, and show me how to repair the damage. I know from countless experience that left to myself, I have a very high capacity for messing things up. Help me walk humbly with You indeed, not pushing myself forward but presenting Christ, so that people may be drawn to You for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!