“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
MATTHEW 7:21
Encounter
Surrender your version of Jesus and follow the real Him.
Read
You can search the Scriptures and still miss the point: they are not meant to defend the idea of Jesus you already carry. They point to Someone else—Christ Himself—so you can know the God of the Bible, not just the Jesus of your imagination.
Scripture points to Me
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”
JOHN 5:39 (KJV)
It is also possible to be close in proximity to Jesus and still miss Him. Some people do not reject Jesus outright—they reshape Him. They follow the version that fits their hopes, politics, pain, lifestyle, or plans. And when Jesus doesn’t act the way they expect, confusion sets in.
Warning: there is a way to “love” Jesus that is really control. Judas didn’t betray Jesus because he lacked evidence. He saw miracles, heard teachings, and loved Him for years. But what he could not surrender was his expectation.
Jesus refuses force
“When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.”
JOHN 6:15 (KJV)
When Jesus would not become the Messiah Judas wanted, Judas tried to force the moment. But forcing never produces real surrender—it only costs you everything. Eventually, Judas went to the chief priests and sought a deal that matched his control.
Judas chooses control
“14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? 15 And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.”
MATTHEW 26:14–15 (KJV)
So here is the sober question for those of us who say we love God: do you truly know the God of the Bible? Or are you faithful only to the version you’ve envisioned in your own mind? This week, ask for surrender—not for a popular Jesus, but for the real Christ.
moment: breathe slowly, release your agenda, and ask the Lord to correct your expectations.
Go Deeper in Scripture
John 5:39
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
Scripture points to Me “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” JOHN 5:39 (KJV) It is also possible to be close in proximity to Jesus and still miss Him.
Matthew 7:21
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” MATTHEW 7:21 Encounter Surrender your version of Jesus and follow the…
John 6:15
When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
Jesus refuses force “When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.” JOHN 6:15 (KJV) When Jesus would not become the Mes…
Matthew 26:14–15
Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Reflect
Days 1–2
- Where are you searching Scripture to defend your preferred picture of Jesus?
- When you say “Lord,” do you also choose His way—today?
Days 3–4
- Where does your frustration show that you expected Jesus to act your way?
- What would surrender look like if you stopped trying to force the moment?
Days 5–7
- What is one obedience step you already know—and will you do it this week?
- Where can you withdraw into prayer instead of bargaining for control?
Respond
SERVE THE REAL JESUS
Lord Jesus, remove the false idea of You that lives in my head. Teach me to search the Scriptures so I can know You truly. Deliver me from “Lord, Lord” religion that avoids the Father’s will. When my expectations rise, quiet my need to force outcomes and train my heart to follow. Let the real Christ shape my faith and obedience. Amen.
Walk it out
- Read one passage this week asking, “What does Jesus say about me—and what does He want me to do?”
- Obey one command you already know, without waiting to feel “ready.”
- When you want to force a plan, pause and pray for surrendered discernment.
- Share one sentence with another disciple: what part of your expectations is God asking you to lay down?
Do the will of the Father.
Log in to save completion.
