We live in a culture that values intellectual work over physical work. And this kind of thinking can easily creep into our thinking about what really matters to God, what *real* spiritual work looks like. So we always have to be going back to the source and evaluating if our values are really in line with what Jesus taught.
What kind of work must be empowered by the Holy Spirit of God, what is evident of a woman who is becoming more like her Savior, and what is something that you don’t even have to know Jesus to do?
Lately, I’ve been thinking about two passages where Jesus talks about how we will be judged on the last day:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” – Matthew 6:20-23 (emphasis, mine)
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” – Matthew 25:34-40 (emphasis, mine)
This shakes me up.
On one hand you see prophesy, casting out demons, and doing mighty works in the name of Jesus. And Jesus says, “No.”
And on the other hand you have giving food and drink, clothing the naked, welcoming the strange, and visiting the prisoner in the name of Jesus. And Jesus says, “Yes.”
We might be tempted to think that just anyone can give a drink to a thirsty brother. And, yes, even someone who doesn’t know Jesus can be quite competent with a water pitcher. But there is a way to do it, in the name of Jesus, that brings eternal reward. And to do it this way is real spiritual work. And there is a way to cast out demons, thinking you’re doing it in the name of Jesus, when you don’t even know him.
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God. – 1 Corinthians 10:31