Beyond Words: True Faith and the Will of God

In a world where words are cheap and actions often speak louder, Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount challenge us to examine the depth of our faith. As fundamentalist Christians, we hold dear the unchanging truths of Scripture—the virgin birth of Christ, His deity, atoning sacrifice, bodily resurrection, and the Bible's inerrant authority. Yet, even with these foundations, we must heed the stark warning in Matthew 7:21-23 (NIV): "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. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’"

This passage isn't just a distant echo from ancient times; it's a mirror for our souls today. It reminds us that proclaiming "Lord, Lord" or even performing miraculous acts in His name doesn't guarantee entry into God's kingdom. What matters is alignment with the Father's will—a life of genuine obedience, not superficial displays. In our fundamentalist circles, where doctrinal precision is paramount, this serves as a crucial reminder: orthodoxy without orthopraxy (right living) is hollow.

The Peril of Lip Service: Lessons from Isaiah

To deepen our understanding, let's turn to the Old Testament prophet Isaiah, whose words Jesus frequently referenced. In Isaiah 29:13 (NIV), God laments: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught." Here, Isaiah critiques a form of religion that's all show—no substance. It's easy to fall into this trap in modern Christianity: attending services, memorizing verses, and debating theology online, all while our hearts remain untouched by God's transforming grace.

Expanding on this, consider how this applies to contemporary issues. In an era of social media evangelism, where posts about faith garner likes and shares, we must ask: Are we honoring God with our lips alone? True worship demands a heart fully surrendered, not just adherence to "human rules" like rigid traditions that overshadow mercy and justice.

Faith in Action: Insights from James

The Apostle James, Jesus' half-brother, builds on this theme in his practical epistle. James 1:22-25 (NIV) urges: "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do."

James uses the mirror analogy to illustrate self-deception. Imagine glancing at your reflection, noting a flaw, and then ignoring it—that's what happens when we hear God's Word but fail to apply it. For fundamentalists, who rightly emphasize Scripture's authority, this is a call to action. It's not enough to defend the Bible; we must live it. Expand this to daily life: If we're quick to judge cultural shifts but slow to show compassion, we're forgetting our reflection in the "perfect law."

The Core of God's Will: Love in Matthew

What exactly is the Father's will? Jesus clarifies it in Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV): "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." This dual command—love God, love others—encapsulates the entire Bible. It's simple yet profound, demanding total devotion and selfless care.

In expanding this, reflect on how love combats hypocrisy. Jesus later condemns the Pharisees in Matthew 23:27-28 (NIV): "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." These religious leaders excelled in external piety but lacked inner purity. Contrast this with the humble tax collector in Luke 18:13-14 (NIV), who prayed, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner," and was justified. Humility, not self-righteousness, opens the door to God's kingdom.

A Real-Life Testimony: Brother Tom's Transformation

To make this personal, let's revisit a story from the pulpit. I once knew a dedicated fundamentalist named Brother Tom. He was a doctrinal powerhouse—quoting Scriptures on creationism, end times, and spiritual warfare with ease. He led prayer meetings where demons were reportedly cast out, all in Jesus' name. Yet, his private life told a different story: a strained marriage, alienated children, and bitter disputes over minor theological points.

A health scare became his turning point. In vulnerability, the Holy Spirit revealed the emptiness of his works without love. Tom repented, mended relationships, and began embodying God's will through kindness and forgiveness. His story echoes John the Baptist's call in Matthew 3:8 (NIV): "Produce fruit in keeping with repentance." Today, Tom's faith is vibrant, proving that true change comes from heart-level obedience.

Bearing Fruit: The Sheep and the Goats

Jesus further illustrates judgment in Matthew 25:31-46 (NIV), the parable of the sheep and goats. Here, separation hinges on practical mercy: feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting prisoners—acts done "to the least of these." This expands our understanding: Doing God's will isn't abstract; it's tangible service. For fundamentalists, who often focus on evangelism, this reminds us that faith without works is dead (James 2:17). In a divided world, let's expand our outreach—bridging doctrinal divides with acts of love, even toward those we disagree with.

Knowing Christ Intimately

Finally, Jesus' declaration, "I never knew you," uses the Greek ginosko, implying deep, relational knowledge. It's not intellectual assent but intimate fellowship through obedience. As we close, let's commit to lives that reflect this: surrendering daily, loving fiercely, and producing repentance's fruit.

May we not be strangers at the gate but welcomed as faithful children. Amen.

DMMC 9-20-25

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