Relationship, Not Religion!

The Good News (Gospel) According to Matthew
Today’s Focus: Relationship
Scripture: Matthew 7:21-23

Greetings Kingdom Citizens
I have said before in this ministry, that God desires relationship and not religion. How clear can this be said in this set of scriptures. Let’s deal with each scripture to see how this works.

Vs. 21 – Entering the Kingdom
Many people call on the name of Lord Jesus all the time. They say His name. They say they are a follower of Lord Jesus and they say the He is the head of their life. See all of this is lip service and lip service does not get you into the Kingdom. Ok! When somebody is Lord, that means they are over you and own you. You submit to their will and their directives. But this is what separates a religious Christian from a Kingdom citizen. Many Christians have not made Jesus Lord over their lives because it shows in their actions. So many people will SAY Lord, Lord but they will not enter (explore) the Kingdom. Now the good part! Jesus then says, but he that DOETH the will of my Father which is in Heaven. They are the ones that will enter (explore) the Kingdom of Heaven. Now, if you do not know what Kingdom life is then you are not in. You need to seek the Kingdom and repent. If you are in the Kingdom, you know what it feels like to live the Kingdom life. Love, joy, peace, patience, control of circumstances..etc , boy it feels good! You have to make a decision whose will are you going to do. God or Man? Yours or God’s?

Vs. 22 – Deeds
Now, Jesus extends this picture to those who are prophesying, casting out devils and doing all these wonderful works. Now you have people doing all these wonders but the question is where is their heart? Example, you can have power and not use it properly. Great example, money. You can have money and spend it on the wrong thing thinking it was good but all wrong. Regardless of the power, if used improperly and not used as intended by the source it is an abuse of power. The question is what was their heart’s intent when using this power. Is it for self-gain or promotion or is it to help build the Kingdom of God?

Vs. 23 – The Relationship
Now Jesus says in this verse that He will say to those workers of iniquity, depart from me, I knew you not. Look at the last portion, I knew you not. To know someone is to have a relationship with them. You are intimate (not sexually) with them. You are not just someone who claims Him because He is Lord. You know Him because He is family and Lord. This intimate relationship is not a relationship that should only flourish in the bad times but most of all in the good times. You must have a relationship and not a religion with Jesus. Jesus does not care about your rituals and robes and speech. He cares about your heart and your willingness to do the Will of the Father. Those who work iniquity will not enter into the Kingdom.

Which do you have with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit?
Relationship or Religion?

Abba’s Son, Min. Calvin Calhoun, Jr.