Is it just business?

In church Sunday, part of the focus of the sermon was on this passage in Matthew:

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’"

On the one hand, Jesus says we are to be doing the will of the Father. But He also says there is a need to know and be known. For many people, the idea of salvation is a transactional one: they go forward at a service, agree to be recognized publicly as a believer, and all is good. Some good deeds may flow as a result, and this is a part of the 'bargain.'

This is a very Western/American view of things -- a transaction. We conduct transactions virtually every day of our lives... but few, if any of them, result in a deep relationship. Sadly, I think this stems from our view of most of life as transactional versus relational. It's almost as if we'd rather do something for somebody than be something for them.

It's easy (relatively) to write that check, or to support a certain ministry... far more challenging to get to know the Savior well enough to actually see the world through His eyes. Such a close relationship requires more time and energy than most of us spend on our earthly companions, much less the Father.

Jesus invites us to be partners in God's plan, yes, but what He really desires is friends...