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We all know that one person in the office that’s a “Yes, Sir!” man when the boss is around, but acts as if he answers to no one when the boss isn’t. What’s the first thing that comes to mind when we think of a worker with that attitude? Most would say that an employee who acts like that doesn’t deserve to even be part of the company.
The same principle applies really in every area of life. The idea of our actions backing up our words is as universal as the English language. “Word is bond,” as the old adage goes and we expect no less from the people around us. So why should God expect less when He is the God that backs His words with actions every time?
In Matthew 7:21, Jesus introduces a painful pill to all who would consequently follow: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Just as words have to be backed up by living in this world, it’s not going to be any different in the kingdom of God. The same rule will apply. Luke 6:46 says it another way, but gives us the same message: “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”
God’s call is free, but it costs us to respond to the call
The way our calling system for mobile and landline providers works has always been the opposite to biblical principle. Usually when we make the phone call, providers charge the caller and not the receiver.
In the kingdom of God, it works the opposite way. It’s free to receive the call of God. BUT to respond to that call will cost us. Yes, the gospel has been given freely for all people. But Jesus also calls us to count the cost of following Him and to pay that cost. When we are not willing to buy in then there is no exchange because “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)
A heart that hears the call will respond in obedience and faith
But then we come to another problem: There are those who simply do, but in their hearts God is not really in charge. This kind of attitude is no different from the first. God must be Lord of both our hearts and our actions. In fact, God cannot be Lord over our deeds if He is not Lord indeed. What that means is that Jesus must first take a preeminent position in our hearts before we are to live for Him.
In Matthew 7:22-23, Jesus presents this scary picture of doers who still get denied: “On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'”
Jesus must first take His rightful place in our hearts, and when He does, we will respond in faith and obedience. It must always come in that order. We are saved by grace and then grace compels us to good works and to a life of faith. That is the complete message of the gospel – the message of reconciliation.
