When one young couple vacationed in Hawai’i, their visit ended with one descriptive word - Paradise!
A family explored New York City.When asked to describe in one word what they experienced, each chose different terms. The mom said, “It was filthy,” while the Dad said, “It’s noisy,” but their teenage son said, “Exciting!” His little sister said,“It was scary!”
Each used a one-word response, but each observation was unique and subjective.
What one word might you use to describe Jesus’ expectation for your church? “Faithfulness!”
Jesus didn’t leave His followers to choose their way. There must be specific criteria for His church!
Jesus taught what He expects! “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire…Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day,‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me,you who practice lawlessness.’”( Matthew 7:19-23).
Jesus will not use your personal, subjective ideas to judge. Look in the Scriptures to read His criteria for judgment.
“At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:10-14). Jesus teaches us what to expect from the world. His Word also teaches what He expects from His church. How will Jesus judge the world if everyone believes only what makes them comfortable? “So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:9-10).
What does Jesus expect of you? He wants you to be faithful to Him!