Unearned Luck

  Daniel Seßler on Unsplash One thing I have asked of the LORD, that I will seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple. - Psalm 27:4 For from the greatness and beauty of created things comes a corresponding perception of their Creator.    -Wisdom 13:5 Think about the hard and cruel times in your life and how dry, desolate, and ugly everything seemed. There was no joy to be had, only pain and despair. Remember the way in which the suffering and loneliness ate away at your heart and mind and nearly drove you crazy, if it didn't. Such horrible times seemed to claw their scars into your heart. Among other constructive reasons, times like these give us a glimpse into what an eternity in Hell may be like, so we may be much less inclined to sin. Do we really want an eternity of such pain without any relief and of an infinite magnitude? Think now of the on...

Why do you call me "Lord, Lord," and not do what I tell you?     -St. Luke 6:46 Not every one who says to me, "Lord, Lord," shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he 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 evil doers."  -St. Matthew 7:21-23 The manner in which Our Lord ends his statement is chilling or should be.  Here Christ is telling us that even the doing of great works in His Name does not warrant eternal life with Him.  It's more than that, too.  People who consider themselves to be His faithful followers and who are performing great works in His Name, Our Lord is calling evil doers. I cast out demons in your name.  I never knew you, evil doer. I prophesy in your name.  I never knew you,...