Key Verse:“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 in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name?’ Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers!’” (Matthew 7:21-23 CSB)
Have you had an experience while reading the Scriptures when you encountered a verse that stopped you dead in your tracks? For me, Matthew 7:21-23 is one of those types of passages.
In these verses, Jesus says that there is a day coming when people will stand before Him seeking to enter into the kingdom of heaven. But notice what will occur for some. According to Jesus, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.” Not everyone is going to get in.
Stop and consider the weight of these words from Jesus. On that day, according to Jesus, there will be those who will stand before Him calling him ‘Lord.’ There will be people who claim to know and follow Jesus. There will be some there who are convinced that they are in right standing before God. But sadly, they will be denied entrance into the kingdom of heaven. Jesus will announce to them, “I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers!”
What is Jesus trying to teach us through this sobering picture? Having already told us a few verses earlier to be on guard against false prophets or teachers, Jesus is now warning us in these verses of the stark reality of false disciples as well. There are those who believe that they are following Jesus, when in fact they aren’t. There will be people who have been deluded into thinking that they are something that they are not. That’s pretty scary to think about, isn’t it?
So what sets a true disciple apart from a false one? How can we ensure that when that day comes, we will be welcomed into the kingdom of heaven by Jesus? First and foremost, we see from these verses that true faith in Jesus is not primarily about a verbal confession. In this particular scenario, those being denied entrance into the kingdom of heaven protested, “Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name?” (v.22). They were calling on the name of Jesus to say and do many wonderful things. But none of it was sufficient.
To be clear, the Apostle Paul does teach that, “If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). However, following Jesus is not about giving lip service to Him. Following Jesus is not just about saying the right words, praying a certain prayer, affirming a particular creed, or publicly identifying yourself with Jesus through baptism. All of these are important steps in following Him. But they are not sufficient in and of themselves.
.A genuine disciple is one who through faith in Jesus has been truly transformed by Him. It is only a person who has been born again of the Spirit that can enter the kingdom of heaven (John 3:5). Genuine faith will be evident through a heart that has been truly changed by God. It will be marked by the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in our lives as He makes us more like Jesus.
Do you truly know Jesus Christ? Or are you merely giving lip service to Him? Turn to Him again today and put your full trust in Him. Seek to know Him more fully. Surrender your life again into His hands and do His will. This is what it means to know and follow Him.
Prayer: Jesus, I don’t want my faith to be about giving lip service to you. I want to truly know you more and more, and live that out through a life of obedience. As I turn again to you today, take me deeper in my faith. Thank you that through faith in you I can have full confidence to enter into your kingdom. Amen.
Author: Jonathan Miller has served in pastoral roles for more than 13 years in churches in Barrie, Oakville and Burlington, Ontario. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Prison Fellowship Canada, a ministry that mobilizes and equips local churches to engage in the restorative work of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims across Canada. Jon holds degrees from McMaster University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife Adrienne have been married since 2004, and live in Burlington, Ontario with their 4 children. Jon’s greatest passion is to know Jesus and to see lives transformed by Him and for Him.
