Thank God for challenges (?) -- (2)

The time of challenges is also a good time to re-examine who I am --or, in other words, what is my motivation--what do I really want? Here the Bible says in Matthew 7:21...

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter."

In a way, the "one who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' " could represent those who want to gain (receive/take) something from the Lord; while the "one who does the will of My Father" could represent those who want to give something to the Father. The former wants to receive and the latter wants to give. This is the two different kind of people; one being selfish and the other being selfless. Anyway, this is a very good barometer to check where I am.

Ask yourself, "Why am I saying to Him, 'Lord, Lord'? What's my reason? Do I want recognition from Him? Do I want appreciation? Do I want his sweet love?, or, Do I want to avoid being excommunicated by the church community if I don't call Him, 'Lord, Lord'? Do I want to be accepted by the people as a good member of this faith community, and then be able to live peacefully in this community? Do I want to stay in that 'comfort zone'?...etc."

Instead of wasting your time for doing those things above, it is much better to find out what truly is the will of the Father, and then just do it! Don't expect recognition. Don't expect appreciation. Don't worry about being excommunicated by the faith community by doing the will of the Father. God knows what you are doing, and especially He knows your heart. He will respond to you according to what kind of heart you have for Him. He knows who is a truly filial son, and He also knows who is not a truly filial son even though he thinks he is.

A sad thing about the faith community is if this lying, or deceiving (yourself!) becomes the part of the culture of the community, in spite of what they say with their mouth. This is one of the traps in so called "religion". In the name of God, religion could do astonishing evil, and religion has in its mechanism the way to make its people blind by using the name of "God" or the "Lord". Religious people must open their eyes, or open to what their conscience have to say to them, instead of deceiving themselves to just keep living "religious" life, which doesn't have the sense of honesty, authenticity, genuineness, humbleness/humility--all key element necessary to build a spiritually healthy life.