Weathering The Storms of Life
Personal Righteousness
“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. Matthew 7:21 (HCSB)
When I was a boy, I was told “You are what you eat”. This was an attempt to impress upon a young man that you only have one body and the care you give it is important. I have to admit that this was a monumental task for a junk food junkie. However, as the years have passed, I have come to realize the importance of proper maintenance of the only body we get this side of heaven.
Likewise, I have discovered some other truths along the way. Little phrases that stick in your mind, for example: Abraham Lincoln said, “And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” Albert Einstein had a good philosophy. He said, “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” And then there is philosopher everyone quotes, Dr. Seuss. He says, “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
With so many philosophies flying around, what a person to think? The Bible, God’s Word to us, is the best place to look for understanding. Jesus helps us understand the proper philosophy of life because He is not looking at life as a created being trying to find His place, but as the creator with a full understanding of how life fits together.
Matthew records three successive parables of Jesus beginning in 7:13-29. You have two gates from which to choose: the broad gate that leads to destruction or the narrow gate that leads to life (7:13-14). He show us two trees: a tree that produces good fruit and a tree that produces bad fruit. The He reminds us “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” Matthew 7:21 (HCSB). In the third, He gives us a contrast between two builders: One wise and the other foolish (7:24-29).
The universal truth that Jesus is teaching is that personal righteousness matters. We will never be able to control every aspect of our environment, but we can be controlled by the Holy Spirit. What really matters in life is the choices we make. Choose Life! Choose Christ!
Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord,
Forgive me for complaining about circumstances, many of my own making. Help me to focus on my personal righteousness, choosing the right way to live according to Your Holy Word. In Jesus Name, Amen.