Matthew 7:15-29

Matthew 7.15-29

False prophets have always been a grave danger to God’s people. In the context of The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is warning against those teachers who offer an easy, less hard and less rigid way. Jesus does not use doctrine or profession of faith as a test, but life as the test. Fruit! Nominal discipleship is damning. Many disciples will in the end be rejected. Is nominal discipleship all that the church is teaching and offering? More directly am I nothing more than a nominal disciple?

In the Judgment there is a rejection of a nominal disciple. These nominal disciples come to the judgment and very likely come with great confidence. They sincerely believe they are in a right relationship with the Lord. They’re claiming a disciple/master relationship that their lives do not match, and a life of obedience is the criterion for discipleship. In Jesus's name they have done some pretty remarkable things. Miraculous activity is no replacement for obedience. Sermons, blogs, books-these count for nothing. In verse 23, the point is relationship with Jesus-not a claimed relationship-but a real relationship. Not a relationship built on my terms or activities, but a relationship lived on His terms.

Jesus concludes with the warning parable of the wise and foolish builders. Survival of the flood is based on doing of His works. The parable represents both the struggles of this life and the judgment of God. Only God-given strength brings survival of a God-given flood.

There is in this passage a terrible struggle of works and grace. We can only be saved by grace, but works are a critical part of our life as a disciple. Works do not merit salvation, but our works remind us of what death awaits us in living for ourselves. Each step takes us closer to one end or another.

"Lord, save me from myself, from self defined discipleship. AMEN"