Universal Utterings®
for June 27, 2024

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06-27-2024 Matthew 7 V-2123 True Discipleship: Knowing and Obeying God’s Will

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The Book of Matthew 7 v- 21 thru 23

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’ 23 Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.’

Doing the Will of God by action and deed, not by words alone, is a profound lesson taught by Jesus in Matthew 7:21-23. Here, Jesus emphasizes the importance of genuine discipleship—one that is reflected in our actions and the condition of our hearts, rather than merely in our words or outward displays of righteousness. This passage is a sobering reminder that it is not enough to simply profess faith; our lives must exhibit the transformative power of that faith through our deeds and obedience to God’s will.

In Matthew 7:21, Jesus states, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." This verse underscores that verbal acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord is insufficient for Salvation. True discipleship requires more than lip service; it demands a life aligned with God's will. This alignment is demonstrated through our actions, decisions, and the way we treat others.

Continuing in verses 22 and 23, Jesus reveals a startling truth: "Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" These verses highlight that even seemingly miraculous deeds, when done without genuine faith and obedience, are not enough to secure a place in God's kingdom. The key issue is not the absence of works, but the absence of a relationship with Christ and a heart that truly seeks to do God's will.

Reflecting on my own journey, there was a time when I was lost, without Christ as my guide. My life was marked by sin and pride, and I was almost died in my spiritual excess. I believed that outward displays of piety and good works could compensate for the emptiness within. However, I eventually realized that these actions, devoid of a true connection with Christ, were hollow and meaningless.

It was only when I surrendered my pride and sought a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ that my life began to change. I understood that doing the will of God meant more than just avoiding sin; it meant actively pursuing righteousness, showing love and compassion to others, and living out the teachings of Jesus in my daily life. This transformation was not instantaneous, but as I committed to following Christ, my actions began to reflect my faith more authentically.

Living out the will of God is a daily commitment, a continuous process of realigning our hearts and minds to prioritize Him above all else. It requires intentional choices each day to put God first, combined with prayer, studying scripture, or acts of kindness and service to others in need. This journey is marked by growth and gradual change, where each decision to live according to God's will strengthens my faith and deepens my relationship with Him. Over time, these daily acts of obedience and devotion have become a natural expression of my faith, illustrating a life truly transformed by Christ. It is in these consistent, everyday actions that we embody the essence of true discipleship, showcasing a faith that is alive and vibrant, not just in words, but in every facet of our journey through daily interactions with humanity at large. Amen.

Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.

At the Savior's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.

I am a poet obedient to Christ,
Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins

Practice. Pray. Proclaim. ®
†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®
Ephesians 6:17-20

06-27-2024 Matthew 7 v-2123

** True disciples hear and heed**

Not everyone who calls my name,

"Lord, Lord," with fervent plea Heaven obtain,

Nor shall they enter Heaven’s gates ordained,

But those who do the will of Me remain without blame.

On that day, many will claim,

"Did we not prophesy in Your name?

Cast out demons, mighty and bold,

And wonders worked, as we were told?"

Yet I shall say, "I never knew,

Depart from Me, you workers of sin,

For deeds alone are empty and few,

Without a heart that's pure within."

True disciples hear and heed,

It's not in words or mighty feats,

But in a life of love and divine creed,

Where faith and action truly meet. Amen.

© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins

June 27, 2024 @ 05:06 AM EST

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