Matthew 7:21
“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 in heaven.”

Jesus would alternately use the phrases ‘kingdom of heaven‘ and ‘kingdom of God.’ He would sometimes say that the kingdom of God “is at hand.” He also said to someone else who understood that the greatest Commandment was to love both God and neighbor that he was “not far from the kingdom of God.” The kingdom of God could break into the present moment whenever someone loved God and neighbor…whenever someone did the will of God. A person can go to church, do rituals, say prayers and utter words like ‘Lord, Lord’ all they want…but if that person isn’t also living the gospel…being Jesus hands and feet in the world…doing the will of God…then he or she is not entering…or experiencing…the kingdom. This requires both faith and action…which many times will only happen by way of a transformed heart. And that may only happen through a painful struggle…when you can truly experience God’s unconditional love.

Suggested song of the day—“I Want to Follow You” on the Listen to Your Heart album.
All songs available on iTunes. Click on the link under blogroll to the right.
CDs available by clicking on “home” and then the “store” tab.
Have a blessed day!