What are you looking for in this life? Are you looking for a guarantee of where you will spend eternity? Are you looking for a life filled with wonderment, good times, and luxury? Do you spend your time serving others? Do you think doing good works will earn your way to heaven?
Many of us believe in the mantra that we must earn our way through this life. It is true that we need to earn a living. We also like the nicer things in life. We like our nice homes, nice furniture, nice cars, and little to no worry about tomorrow. We enjoy the riches we have.
But what does it take for us to be true followers of Jesus? Many of us think the more good works we do the better our chances of being with Him for eternity. We think we can earn our way to heaven. However, that is a false belief. We cannot in any way, shape, or form earn our way to heaven.
Jesus makes it clear that we cannot simply perform works in His name and expect to be with Him. We must first commit our heart and souls to Him. Once that is done, then we can perform works for Him out of the love and commitment we have to Him. There is a major difference between the two approaches. One is selfish, the other is selfless.
Jesus tells us those who perform works out of selfishness will be rejected. Their hearts are not committed to Him. It is the selfless, who commit to Him first, then perform the works He desires of them who will be accepted. It all boils down to the heart. It comes down to putting Jesus first in our lives.
I pray we all commit our hearts to Jesus. I pray we give up our selfishness for selflessness. I pray each one of us choose to follow Jesus with our whole being, including performing His works. Commit to Jesus. Commit your heart to Jesus. Put Jesus first. Perform His works. Follow His lead.
Matthew 7:21-23 “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. 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!’”
Marty Pressey 