In Your name.

Good Friday morning, my friends,

I will wrap up my week on the Sermon on the Mount with some observations on a passage that can be difficult to fathom.  In Matthew 7:21-23 Jesus says:

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he 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 perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' "

These are people who are prophets and miracle workers!  People who cast out demons!  Well, not exactly.  They prophesy 'in your name'.  They drive out demons 'in your name'.  They perform many miracles 'in your name'.  All that tells us is how powerful the name of Jesus is.  It does not tell us anything about the person calling on that name.  In John 14:13 Jesus says "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father."  As always, Jesus is after our heart here.  He wants us to do the will of His Father.  Does that mean works rather than faith?  Not at all - but they are always connected.  Those whose faith is in Jesus are not subject to the Law, but instead have the law written on their hearts.  They want to do the will of the Father to please the Father.  It is because of their love for God that they seek His will in their lives.

Have a blessed and happy Easter weekend.

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you,

Bruce

Speak, O Lord, for Your servant is listening. I say, Your servant, because at last I am such. I am Your servant and I want to be; I want to walk in Your way all the days and nights of my life.

Fill me with a spirit to understand what Your holy plans are for me. And reduce my desires to the single desire to understand Your sublime truths.

Speak, in order to console my anxious soul. Speak, in order to lead it to repentance. Speak, so that Your glory, thus more exalted, will grow eternally. Amen.

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.