Today’s scripture: Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Penny Dean):
“I miss my best friend. Not this person you’ve become,” she said gesturing at me. “I don’t know who this is.”
I’d heard a lot of words in all the years we were friends, but those hurt the most. And words, spoken and unspoken, had dissolved our 15-year friendship. I wished I could take a lot of those words back and replace them, or eradicate them altogether. But it’s too late. My apologies are insufficient to undo the damage.
Likewise, it’s insufficient to say, “Lord, Lord,” and expect Jesus to know who you are. In this passage, Jesus was referring to people who had no relationship with him. They talked a good game, they may even have done great things in God’s name; but they had no relationship with God. As a result, Jesus rebuked them and sent them away saying he never knew them. After all, how can Jesus recognize someone if that person has never been in his presence or spent time with him? Harsh words, but that’s what hell is: separation from God.
I’ve had a taste of hell and it’s not pleasant. Few things are worse than losing your best friend. When someone looks down in the dumps, we often say to them, “you look like you lost your best friend.” It’s obvious that person is hurting. That separation, that lost friendship, hurts like hell, so to speak, because the relationship is gone.
Talk is cheap. Relationships are both costly to keep and to lose. God wants more than lip service. Spend time in God’s presence. Get to know God. Why put yourself through hell?
Thought for the day: Does God recognize me? How can I improve my relationship with God?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.