“Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21 NIV).
When I was a young girl I was a Girl Scout. It’s a wonderful organization and we had great leaders. Now in Girl Scouts you are supposed to earn merit badges for things such as first aid, tying knots, etc. Well, I’m afraid I wasn’t that dedicated to achieving those badges. If there would have been a badge for giggling I would have had that in a minute. I giggled my way through many a meeting and late into the night at camp outs and lodges, much to our counselors’ dismay. I should have taken it more seriously.
As Christians we don’t earn our way to heaven like earning a merit badge, but the Lord does require us to do something. Going to church on Sunday is just a part of what being a Christian is all about. You can find some guidelines from the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapters 5-7. Jesus said in this sermon that you should do good deeds to others. He said you will be judged if you are angry with your brother, especially if you don’t forgive him. You need to love your enemies. Give to the needy. Don’t worry because God loves you and will take care of you. Pray to your Father in Heaven. Don’t judge others.
How does your Christian life measure up to all of these things? I think it is important for us at the end of each day to evaluate our Christian walk. It will help us to live a life that is pleasing to God. You see at the end of our lives we will receive something far more valuable than a merit badge because we will receive the crown of life eternal.
Dear Lord,
Let us take time to pray and seriously try to do what you would want us to do every day. You have given us instructions on the way we need to live. It is up to us to follow them and be your ambassadors here on earth. Help us to be faithful and not let life crowd in on us so much that we forget to do your will.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
