I recently heard this awesome little poem written by Jeffery O’Hara, called anthem. Here’s what it says, “Why call Me Lord, Lord, and do not the things I say. You call Me the way and walk not. You call Me the life and live Me not. You call Me Master and obey Me not. If I condemn thee blame Me not. You call Me bread and eat Me not. You call Me truth and believe Me not. You call Me Lord and serve Me not. If I condemn thee blame Me not.”
Very strong, yet true words captured in this short poem. It was written based upon the biblical true found in Matthew 7: 21-29, 21“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 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 do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
24“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.
This portion of scripture is the climax of the Lord Jesus Christ’s sermon on the mount. This portion of scripture is speaking to those who claim to belong to, and follow God. Yet, Jesus takes it a step deeper. Take note that in verses 21-23, Jesus’ focus is on professing believers (or Christians) who SAY Lord, Lord, but don’t OBEY His commands.
In verses 24-27, Jesus focuses on those that HEAR, but do not OBEY His commands. Yet, to both parties, He openly tells them that He does not Know them (intimately), nor has He ever known them. Because they are Sayers and hearers only, and do not have a committed life of obedience that follows. So, how do we know if we or others are true believers? Jesus just got done saying how. In Matthew 7:15-16, 15“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Not might know, could know, or should know, but WILL know them by their fruits. That’s obedience my friends. So then, as we truly examine and take honest self-inventory of our lives, may we remember that “True saving faith consistently produces obedience. May we live with the utmost conviction, as our eternal destiny is on the line, and be DOERS of the word, not hearers and sayers only.
By: Daniel C. Rodgers