Devotion - Wednesday, Oct 21

It is dangerous to write about “works” so close to Reformation Sunday. However, today’s Gospel reading, combined with the activity which will fill my day, makes it difficult to avoid speaking to the issue.

In Matthew 7:21 Jesus says, “Not every one who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

Again, while avoiding a works righteousness, this passage seems to be saying to us that it isn’t merely what we do with our lips that matters; what we do with our lives is also taken into consideration.

This morning we begin the construction of the sixteenth Homecoming Habitat for Humanity House. Over the course of the next ten days, the students will frame, roof, side, wire, plumb, and hang drywall. The house will become the home of the Kerswells and their four children. What we do, matters.

Not in the aforementioned verse, but in numerous other places, Jesus tells his followers to care for the poor. He instructs his disciples to be about the tasks of feeding, clothing, and welcoming in the neighbor. This is exactly what the Homecoming Habitat house does. It is an opportunity for the student population to care for a family.

Discipleship is demonstrated in action – one follows the master. We not only confess with our lips, we also put our lives into action. Thus, we do the will of the One whom we serve.