Day 17: February 13

Matthew 7:21-29

SCRIPTURE HIGHLIGHT
21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.
22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’
23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.

OBSERVATION
⬆️ Genuine Faith Rooted in Action: Jesus emphasizes that true faith goes beyond mere words and requires action that aligns with God's will (v. 21). Faith must be demonstrated through deeds that reflect God's character and love.

⬇️ Hypocrisy : However, people often twist faith to conform to their desires and interpretations ignoring God's will. This tendency isn't new. Even in Jesus' time, the Pharisees and religious leaders prioritized their own superficial religious practices, neglecting the law's true purpose: serving God and their neighbors(22).

⬆️ Misguided Faith: Jesus warns against misguided faith that focuses on religious rituals and outward appearances, rather than genuine love for God and others (v. 22). (Jesus continually addresses the issue of hypocrisy in the context of this teaching of the Sermon on the Mount.) The Pharisees and religious leaders of Jesus' time exemplify this, prioritizing their own agendas over God's will.

⬆️Consequences of False Faith: Jesus highlights the consequences of false faith, emphasizing that it ultimately leads to disobedience and separation from God (v. 22-23). This false faith is a form of lawlessness that contradicts God's commands.

⬆️ Building on Solid Ground: Jesus teaches that true faith is built on the foundation of God's word and obedience to His will (v. 24-25). This faith is resilient and can withstand any storm or trial that comes its way.

⬆️ Foolishness of Ignoring Christ's Teachings: Jesus warns against the foolishness of ignoring His teachings and choosing to live according to one's own desires (v. 26-27). Such a faith is unstable and will crumble when faced with challenges.

APPLICATION
➡️ In today's scripture, Jesus challenges my understanding of faith. He urges me to move beyond mere words and rituals, and instead embody my faith through actions that align with God's will. We see this starkly contrasted by the Pharisees, who prioritized their own agendas and outward appearances, neglecting the true essence of faith: love for God and service to others.

Am I serving my own desires, or am I striving to live following God's will based on his scripture and the guidance of the Holy Spirit? Do I prioritize outward appearances over genuine love and compassion in action?

I confess that I have often justified and glorified myself because I studied theology, because I am a pastor, and because I have a little more theological knowledge than others. I repent of my wrongdoing of trying to justify my faith with what I know. I also repent of my complacency in my faith life, simply practicing repetitive religious acts. I commit to living a faith life that is in accordance with God's will, being sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit based on His Word.

PRAYER
🙏 Dear Heavenly Father, Heavenly Father, Your words in Matthew 7:21-29 pierce through the layers of my heart, challenging me to examine the true foundation of my faith. I confess that often my actions haven't mirrored the depth of my words. I have been justifying and glorifying myself for my theological knowledge as a pastor. I have been trying to validate my faith based on intellectual understanding instead of living it out in action.  I have been settling for repetitive religious rituals without actively seeking your will and translating it into love and service.

Forgive me, Lord, for these misunderstandings of your will. Open my eyes to the hypocrisy that may lurk within and grant me the courage to confront it.

Help me move beyond mere words and rituals. Ignite within me a fire for genuine faith, rooted in obedience to your Word and fueled by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Help to align my actions with your will, Let my deeds reflect your character, love, and compassion in the world.

Help to serve with humility that strips away pride and self-righteousness, replacing them with a true servant's heart.

May my life be a testament to the transforming power of true faith, built on the solid foundation of your love and expressed through actions that glorify your name. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.