The True Value! (part 2 of 2)

As we noted yesterday that talk can be cheap, actions can also be cheap or of a lesser value than what we may realize. What can cheapen our works? Suppose my father had asked me to clean the garage -- sweeping it out and making sure everything was in its place -- what would have been his expectation? What if because it was a beautiful day I decided rather than having to work inside, I would instead go out and mow the lawn and weed the gardens? Knowing I would do a good job at that, surely my father would be pleased with all the work I had done, right? Would my expectation of him being pleased with my wonderful work have matched my father’s expectation when he returned home? Even though the weeding and mowing might have been good works, they were what I CHOSE to do over what I had been asked to do. My action would have reflected what I WILLED rather than what MY FATHER WILLED and in spite of how immaculate the condition of the lawn and gardens might have become, my father would not have been pleased.

Perhaps it is easy for us to see why failing to follow such directions is not a good thing. In fact, though some good was done, obedience had not taken place. Should that not also be even more so the consideration with regard to our Heavenly Father?

Beginning with the verse we noted yesterday, Jesus emphatically declared. . .

“(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. (21) 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 ESV)

Jesus clearly indicated it is possible to do “might works” -- even in His Name -- and still be considered “workers of lawlessness.” They worked lawlessness because they did not obey the rule or command of the Lord. These individuals were not necessarily guilty of doing bad things, but sinned in choosing to do their own will rather than the FATHER’S WILL.

Going back to my earlier illustration, perhaps the mowing and weeding could have taken longer than the cleaning of the garage would have required. Would such provide extra points for having “sacrificed” more personal time even though the works were different than what had been requested? Perhaps the yard and gardens were going to be done by my father or someone else. The problem remains that the thing he willed to be done was left undone and he would therefore have every right to be displeased. In such a scenario I would have most likely found myself being faced with the expenditure of more time to go and do what I had first been told. The expectation was to be mindful of what I had been given to be done.

Remember God’s message to Saul when he did not fully comply with what God had commanded. We read. . .

“(22) And Samuel said, ‘Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE, and TO LISTEN THAN THE FAT OF RAMS. (23) For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and PRESUMPTION IS AS INIQUITY AND IDOLATRY. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.’” ( 1 Samuel 15:22-23 ESV)

It is not our own will, but GOD’S WILL that is to be searched out and done! It is not good enough for us to simply do good works and then assume God will place His stamp of approval on them. If we have not done what He has asked us to do, then what we have done is going to be of a lesser value to Him. This does not mean we earn our salvation, but such obedience does keep us in a proper relationship with God and the realm of His glorious blessings. It also reveals the sincerity of our appreciation and love for Him. May HIS WILL be highly valued so that the works of our life may glorify and honor Him. That is the highest purpose for the works we perform. (i.e. Matthew 5:16)

Have a great day KEEPING LIFE ABOUT THE FATHER’S BUSINESS!
Carl

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