MATTHEW 7:21.

“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 who is in heaven."

TO PONDER

Whether they are in our workplaces or our classrooms, our sports teams or our social groups, we all know these people. The ones who will say yes to your face to stay 'in' with the group or in favour with the boss or teacher, but then when no one else is looking would also be the first one to stick a knife in your back. We might call them 'fake friends' or 'fair weather friends', they only stick around when there is something for them to gain from the situation.

So let me ask you a difficult question, are you a fair weather friend of Jesus? Now I know most of us will immediately say, "No! Of course not!" but I want you to think deeply about this for a moment. Are you only friends with Jesus, do you only follow him because of what you get out of it?

Just sit with that question for a moment. Don't get me wrong, there are certainly some significant benefits and promised rewards for those who follow Jesus and put their hope and trust in him as their Lord and Saviour, but is that the only reason you believe? Let me put it this way, if you were convinced that Jesus was the son of God, but that was it - no salvation, no atoning death, no promise of the Holy Spirit or eternal life, would you still follow Jesus just because of who he is?

Jesus is worth following simply because he is Jesus, the son of God and all power and authority in Heaven and on Earth has been given to him and he loves us. Fortunately for us, his love for us also means he has invited us to share in his victory, to receive his resurrection life for ourselves and to participate in his mission to bring that life to all the world by proclaiming the good news of his death and resurrection. Only when we accept that invitation completely, both the benefits and the work of participating in his mission, do we really begin to experience now, all that Jesus has for us.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I'm sorry for the times that my relationship with you is completely one-sided. When I expect to receive everything from you but fail to do or offer anything to you. I know your gifts to me are offered freely as gifts of grace and there is no obligation to earn them, but I pray you will help me to show my thanks and gratitude for all you have done as I strive to follow you each day in humble obedience. For you alone are worthy of all glory, honour, and praise. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.