“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. On that day many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in Your name, and do many miracles in Your name? ’Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!’
Matthew 7:21-23
Preaching, casting out demons, and performing miracles do not qualify you for Heaven! Knowing Jesus does!
You know from your own life that the desires of your heart and the things that you do sometimes don't match. You may desire to be the lord of your own life and yet you do the things that make people think you are a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ. And you may seriously desire to follow Jesus, but often fall to temptation.
Other men look at your outward deeds, but God looks at your heart. Satan wants you to focus on things that make you look like you are living a righteous life, but Jesus wants you to have your heart right with Him! When your heart is turned toward Jesus, will you still sin? Of course you will but sin will not be your normal state of existence. Sin will be the exception!
Don't be impressed by someone who does all the outward deeds of righteousness but doesn't know Jesus. And don't be discouraged because of someone whose heart belongs to the Lord, but still struggles with sin.
If you do "good works" to impress those around you rather than because the Holy Spirit is leading you to do them, then they will mean nothing. If you do the same deeds at the prompting of God's Spirit and because your heart belongs to Him, they will mean everything!
"Lord Jesus, help me to remember today that You see my heart and not just the things that I do. Hold my heart today close to Yours! Praise Your Holy Name forever. Amen."
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