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Let your works speak for you!

There is a very powerful truth in Matthew 7:16. It says: “You will know them by their fruits.” When Jesus read the scroll in the Temple, it revealed His purpose. Luke 4:18 says: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are [j]oppressed.” Note how the anointing led Him to do GOOD WORKS! Many call themselves Christians, yet their fruit, or their works are evil or selfish as they are only interested in what can be done for them. They are not involved in any form of ministry, nor are they interested in doing so. Acts 10:38 says: “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” See once again how the anointing and power led Jesus to do GOOD WORKS. So the key here is not to say that you are anointed, but to manifest the anointing with good works, healing others, showing others the love of God by your actions and testimony, preaching and discipling others. If you are truly anointed, let your fruit or works speak, not your mouth!

Matthew 7: 21-23 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

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Have you lost your “first love?”

Revelation 2:4-5 “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.” The Lord Jesus spoke this to the church in Ephesus. It is quite profound. This was a church that was known for their works, their labor and their patience. They rooted out the false leaders in their midst. they had persevered and had not become weary (Rev. 2:2-3). It seemed that they had it all together. However, Jesus emphasized the importance of their relationship with Him. He let them know that they had lost their “first love,” and even though they did all of the outer works, relationship was the most important thing!  Jesus counsels us to seek the Kingdom of God FIRST. (Matthew 6:33). Jesus said: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ (Matthew 22:37). He warned that there would be those who believed that by their works they would enter Heaven, yet He will say to them: “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness” (Matthew 7:23). God is not “impressed” at the things you do, and you will not enter Heaven just because you did “Christian things.” However, those that love God with all of their hearts and have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, are known and recognized in Heaven. While Christian works are important and needed, always remember the most important thing: never lose your “first love.”