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.’ ~ Matthew 7:21-23
This is one of the most half-quoted and half-focused verses in the Church today. We hear and quote the words, “not everyone who says to me LORD, LORD will enter the Kingdom of Heaven,” but that’s usually where we stop. We often quote this in terms of believing in Christ but living in sin. While I do believe those two things are incompatible, it’s a little more nuanced than that. It’s not just believing but fully submitting to God. To the Spirit for change, the Son for Salvation and redemption, and the Father for our path in life.
The will of the Father is so important that Christ submitted fully and completely to it, even when He could’ve said no. Even when He could’ve walked away, the Son submitted to the will of the Father. It’s not just about saying, ‘I believe ’; it’s about living ‘I believe.’ Fully and wholeheartedly submitting to God. In full humility. Submission to the Son for redemption and Salvation, to the Father for His will and plan, and to the Spirit for change and transformation. We have to fully give up our rights to ourselves and what we think is best. We have to give up the reins and allow God to lead us.
Faith isn’t just about what you believe to be true but how you live your life in regard to the Truth. Faith alone has never been enough. Abraham had faith in God, so he took his son to the mountain to fulfill any command God had given him. He didn’t fully understand, but he had faith. Faith in the God in whom he believed. We, the Church, are the Spiritual children of Abraham, and we are to follow in his footsteps by fully giving up our ownership of ourselves and all we have, just as he did.
Peace. Love. Go Forth and Give up The Reins.