Title How to live ? [Matthew 7:21-23]
Content 序論: structure and gist of the text
: This text tells us well that the saints should lead a life of faith, but they must live a true life of faith. He tells us well that the true way is to choose the beautiful way of faith that is rewarded but richly received in the two ways of living a life of faith that only confesses with the lips, or whether we live according to the will of God and live a life of faith. There is text. It is a message about which path to choose from the two paths that anyone who believes in Jesus will face and become the one who pleases God.
At the same time, the text clearly and firmly explains the characteristics of the two paths of faith. Then, let's share the grace together by looking at the main text in turn.
本論: Two beliefs
A: Lord! The faith that says “Lord!” and the faith that does the will of God.
First of all, I am talking about the path that should not be walked between the two paths of faith. Jesus said in verse 21: “Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Two kinds of people are contrasted in this verse. One is “Lord, Lord,” and the other is “Those who do the will of our Heavenly Father.” We need to know about these two types of people to understand today's text. So let's first look at who these two kinds of people are.
First, it is “Lord, Lord.”
We know that there were twelve disciples of Jesus. Of course, there were twelve apostles, but there were many more disciples who followed Jesus. Thousands of people followed Jesus, but when Jesus was crucified, they all scattered.
But what about the apostles? They also ran away from the cross at first, but later they all walked the path of martyrdom. Acts 1:15 records that there were 120 people in Mark's upper room. These 120 were those who remained until the end for Jesus. When Jesus was alive, a large crowd followed Him saying, “Lord, Lord,” but when the cross was placed in front of them, most people gave up their faith. Therefore, in the days of Jesus, “Lord, Lord” refers to “those who have forsaken Jesus” in front of the cross.
Also, in the early church, “Lord, Lord” refers to apostates. The persecution produced many martyrs, but it produced many more apostates. Just as the harvest separates the wheat from the tares, so persecution separates true believers from false believers. Therefore, in the early church, “Lord, Lord” refers to “apostates who have abandoned their faith.” Here, the original word for the word “Lord!” is , which was used in the early church when people who confessed that only Jesus is everything to me when they called on Jesus. In other words, “Lord!” can only be used by people who are determined to be faithful to Jesus by giving their lives according to God’s will, and only when used by people who are sure to follow Jesus to death in their lives. It was a statement that was acknowledged to be true.
Second, it is “the one who does the will of the Heavenly Father.” The Greek word for “meaning” here is “telema” (θελημα). This word has the meaning of “meaning” and “purpose”. Therefore, “those who do the will of Heavenly Father” refers to “those who do the will of God” and “those who do the will of God.”
A person who can do God's will can be a person whose love for God and Jesus surges from the depths of his heart, saying, "If it is God's will, I will gladly do it." Dear all! When the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed, if there were only ten righteous people, they would not have been destroyed, but because there were no righteous people, “Sodom and Gomorrah” were not destroyed? By all means, whenever a difficult situation arises around you, God sees your face and becomes such a person who solves problems Himself rather than just being there. I wish you all the best.
As the text says, there are two kinds of people living today. One is “Lord, Lord,” and the other is “Those who live according to the will of our Heavenly Father.” We are not talking about those who live according to the lowly and lowly of this world, but those who live according to the holy will of God. I am not talking about those who live according to the vain purpose of this world, but those who live according to the holy purpose of God.
There are two kinds of people in this world. They live in harmony with each other. That is why St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, said, “In this world, citizens of the city of God and citizens of the city on earth live together.” Martin Luther, the Reformer, also said, “This world is the power of the kingdom of God and the power of the earthly kingdom.” It dominates.” In this world, these two forces are in tight tension.
Therefore, even the church is not a safe place. Of course, the church is a place where God's commands are carried out. But even in the church, tares and wheat are mixed. Even within the church, there are those who say “Lord, Lord,” and “those who do the will of the Heavenly Father.” These two types of humans are intermingled, so they are not very distinct from each other.
B: Two kinds of beliefs and their consequences
But when that day comes, the wheat and the tares will be covered. Sheep and goats will be separated. So Jesus says in verses 22-23: “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 perform many mighty works in your name? I do not know, you who practice lawlessness, depart from me.”
On the day of God's judgment, "Lord! We are prophets in the name of the Lord. Many people will tell the Lord, saying, “These are people who cast out demons in the name of the Lord and performed many miracles.” “I never knew you. You who practice lawlessness! Get away from me.” Here, the original word for “speak clearly” is “homologeso”. This is a term used for public proclamation. In other words, it is a word used when the meaning cannot be overturned. No matter how much he prophesied in the name of the Lord and performed miracles such as casting out demons, the Lord said to such a person that he did not live according to God's will or God's purpose when he truly lived on this earth. I never knew you. You who practice lawlessness! Get away from me! he will say firmly.
Dear all! You are all true from God! well come My son! my daughter! I believe that all the saints who will be welcomed by God will take the inheritance and reward prepared for you before the foundation of the world.
Also, Jesus begins verse 22 by saying, “In that day many people…” We must know that there will be many, not just one or two, who will be turned away like this.
Everyone! How many people are preaching gracious sermons in this day and age? But why can't they become a source of faith? Isn't it because we can't live by the word? Is it not because we are not doing the will of our Heavenly Father? Therefore, no one in this world has the privilege of entering the kingdom of God without living and doing the will of God. Only those who do the will of God can enter the kingdom of heaven.
Dear all! The apostles were not just preachers and performers of miracles. They were the ones who showed life. They did not care about their own comfort, but took care of all the members with love. Also, except for the apostle John, the eleven apostles first walked the path of martyrdom in front of the church members, who were engulfed in skepticism and fear of death. They showed the cross of Jesus Christ through their lives. So they could become a source of faith. That is why many believers were confident and followed the example of the disciples and walked the path of martyrdom.
The church stands on the blood of martyrs. It is based on the dedication of those who do and live according to the will of God. Everyone! What does the death of the apostles mean? Isn't that the truth about God's love? Isn't it to say that God is the most precious to me so much that it cannot be exchanged for my only life?
Jesus' standards are different from human standards. People think about themselves. I like people who give me gracious sermons, I like people who heal me, I like people who bless me, I like people who give me power. But those who please the Lord are those who do the will of God.
Of course, if we do God's will, preach well, cast out demons, and exercise power, what could be better than this? In today's text, the person Jesus is taking issue with is pointing out the person who is missing out on living according to God's will.
結論: Let's do God's will
Everyone! Are you really doing according to God's purpose? Are you living according to God's will? Do you not have faith to achieve my purpose? Am I not living a life of faith in order for my business to prosper, for my family to be happy and for me to prosper? Has faith ever been reduced to a means to achieve my purpose? Of course, all of the above are given to those who are given the privilege of being a child of God. However, if we do not live by faith because we love Jesus, but for something other than Jesus, then such a person does not live by faith to achieve God's purpose, but as a means to achieve his own purpose. All. To put it simply, the Master and 客 are evangelized.
Everyone! Only those who do the will of God can enter the kingdom of God. Our God is pleased with those who live according to God's purpose. Everyone! Don't live on the land for a purpose. Believers must live with a purpose in heaven. A lowly purpose makes your life low. But a holy purpose will ennoble your life. When I am completely obsessed with God, nothing is difficult. Self-sacrificing or even dying is not difficult at all. Only those who hold fast to God can do God's will. Therefore, my dear ones, I earnestly pray that you will become people who hold fast to God, truly accomplish God's purpose on this earth, and become faithful saints who live according to His will.