In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 7, Jesus says, "“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. 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?’ Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.’"
Why would Jesus say this to those who prophesied, drove out demons and did mighty deeds in His name? Because they were not doing the will of the Father. Praying is important, but if they are just empty words, they have no effect.
This reminds me of two things Jesus will say at the end of one's life. One is "Well done, good and faithful servant." The other is "Depart from me, you evildoer." The first are words I long to hear when I meet my maker. The second are words we never want to hear. What are we doing today to make sure Jesus doesn't utter those words to us in the end?
Father, may we always be about doing your will. Amen.
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