Matthew 7:19-24 NIV “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. “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!’ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.7.24.NIV

God is not impressed by the extravagant, the magnificent, the grandiose things we attempt for Him. God is impressed by the simple, the obscure, the consistent, and mundane acts of love and service for Him to others that we do daily. These verses conclude Jesus’ greatest sermon recorded. As God, He defines for us what He wants from us. His conclusion is not that we have TV shows that ‘show’ His power but that we live daily lives of loving one another, which causes people to experience His power in us. God’s words are primarily about our relationship with each other and how our interactions demonstrate His presence, or lack thereof, in our lives. The second commandment is the proof that the first commandment is in our hearts. So much turmoil exists in our day, but the Church has the opportunity to demonstrate peace in Christ that causes love for one another and creates hope and hunger for God in our culture. The Church cannot embrace the thinking and living of the culture but must instead embrace the teaching and living of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are His ambassadors. God is making His appeal to humanity through us for reconciliation to Himself through Jesus the Savior. Our love for people, unconditional and sacrificial like the love God demonstrated through Jesus, is to be the witness that draws everyone to Jesus. The wise person, the godly person, the true Christian, is the person who applies Jesus’ teachings to all their relationships, summarized as loving his neighbor as himself consistently, repeatedly, unconditionally, daily.