Deeper Life #174

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

—Matthew 7:21

HUMAN NATURE IS VERY FOND of labels. It is so easy to be branded with labels, and easy to give other people labels they do not deserve.

Our Lord said that the test of goodness was doing the will of God. That is how we are to discern between the man labeled as being “good” and the man with “the goods.” Christian discipleship will reveal itself in character and behavior. The ultimate test of a person’s Christian faith is a right relationship to Jesus Christ, unsullied in every detail, privately and publicly.

Prayer Thought: Search my motives, Holy Spirit, and empower me to be wholly the Lord’s in every thought and deed.

SUGGESTED READING: Galatians 5:22–26