Signs or Surrender? Matthew 7:22-23
📖Scripture: “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name… and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:22-23
🔎Reflection: Kingdom fruit isn’t measured by charismatic signs or religious externals, but rather by repentance, obedience, and surrender to King Jesus, the eternal Son of God. Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8) saw miracles, believed, and was baptized… but his motives were wicked and Peter told him so (vv.20-23).
While there’s no linguistic distinction between “belief” and “faith” (in the original Greek, both are the word πιστεύω), context and perseverance distinguish between the superficial synthetic “belief” variety that withers and the authentic divine “faith” variety that endures. The WORD of God, Christ Jesus, pleads with us not to mistake good deeds for godliness or religious activity for rebirth by the Holy Spirit.
It’s easy to display false humility and act as though we don’t care about recognition or human approval. But what feelings bubble up when you and your service aren't recognized? What happens inside when your opinion or idea isn’t the one that gets approved? Is it hurt feelings? Gossip? Slander? Factions? Anger? Those are all the things that the Apostle Paul said are the obvious works of the flesh (Gal 5:19), and that people who practice them will not inherit the kingdom of God (Gal 5:21)!
If, when you were still a slave to sin, your natural tendency was for the limelight, power, influence, approval, and popularity… Satan, i.e., The Accuser, will use the lusts of your carnality to steal your focus, kill your ministry, and destroy your works. In 2 Cor 2:9-11, the Apostle Paul said, “My purpose in writing you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything… in order that Satan should not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.”
If anyone denies Satan’s existence or reduces him to a mere “symbol of evil” rather than the Prince of Darkness who actively opposes God’s purposes, deceives the world, and masquerades as an angel of light to accuse humanity and lead us into rebellion, it is a clear rejection of the plain teachings of Jesus, the Apostles, and the testimony of Scripture.
🤺Action: Ask the LORD if you truly serving in obedience and humility, i.e., considering others more important than yourself (Phil 2:3) as a servant and slave to God (Rom 6:22) to glorify Christ to advance His kingdom… or are you doing religious stuff for your own advantage (Jude 1:16)? The test is this: what happens when you don’t get your way? Do you withdraw your heart, time, service, and/or financial support? Do you decide to pursue ministry outside the local church or within a church you know is ungodly to get your way? How will you worship by intentionally going unseen this year and pour yourself out for God’s glory alone?
🙏Prayer: King Jesus, strip away my need to be known and approved by man. Let me seek only to know You and be known by You. Burn away every fleshly ambition. May my life declare Your Lordship in private and public, and may I never bear Your name, fame, or mission in emptiness or use it for personal gain. Let Your Spirit reign sovereign in and over my life. Amen.
Click the following YouTube link for a short video version:
https://youtube.com/shorts/cOFA8hcaSvg?feature=shared
Blessings & love,
Kevin M. Kelley
Pastor
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