Posts
"Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’"
— Matthew 7:21-23 (NKJV)
This passage is one of the most sobering teachings of Jesus. It warns that not all who claim to follow Christ will enter the kingdom of heaven. Outward religious activity is not enough—what matters is a true relationship with Jesus and obedience to God's will. Let’s examine this passage in depth.
1. Words vs. Obedience (Verse 21)
"Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven."
Jesus makes it clear that mere verbal confession is not enough to enter heaven. Just because someone calls Him “Lord” does not mean they truly belong to Him. Instead, the key to entering the kingdom is doing the will of the Father.
What This Means for Us:
- Faith is more than words – Saying the right things, attending church, or calling Jesus “Lord” does not automatically mean we are saved.
- Obedience is evidence of true faith – Those who truly belong to Christ will seek to do God’s will, not just speak religious words.
- God desires a transformed heart – Christianity is not about appearances; it’s about a genuine relationship with Jesus that leads to obedience.
🔹 Application:
Ask yourself: Do I merely say I follow Christ, or do I truly live according to His will?
2. Religious Works Are Not Enough (Verse 22)
"Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’"
Here, Jesus describes people who performed impressive religious works—prophesying, casting out demons, and performing miracles—all in His name. Yet, despite these outward actions, they were not truly His followers.
What This Means for Us:
- Religious works do not guarantee salvation – Miracles, preaching, or spiritual gifts do not necessarily indicate a true relationship with Christ.
- It is possible to serve in Jesus’ name without knowing Him personally – Some people may appear highly spiritual yet lack a genuine connection with Jesus.
- God looks at the heart, not just outward actions – Good works are important, but they must flow from a true faith, not be a substitute for it.
🔹 Application:
Instead of relying on outward works, examine your heart: Am I doing God’s will out of love for Him, or just for recognition and self-righteousness?
3. The Ultimate Judgment (Verse 23)
"And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’"
This is the most shocking part of the passage. Jesus tells these people that despite their religious actions, He never knew them. They were never truly His followers.
What This Means for Us:
- Knowing about Jesus is not the same as knowing Him personally – These people called Him “Lord” but never had a real relationship with Him.
- True faith produces obedience – They are called “workers of lawlessness” because their actions were not rooted in true faith.
- Separation from Jesus is the ultimate consequence – Without a real relationship with Christ, there is no eternal life.
🔹 Application:
The most important question is not “What have I done for God?” but “Do I truly know Him?”
How Can We Be Sure We Truly Know Jesus?
1. Genuine Faith in Christ
Salvation is not about religious works—it comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Do you trust in Him alone for salvation?
- “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
2. A Personal Relationship with Jesus
Jesus said, “I never knew you.” True Christianity is about knowing Christ personally, not just knowing about Him.
- “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27)
3. Obedience to God's Will
We don’t earn salvation by works, but true faith produces obedience. A genuine relationship with Jesus transforms how we live.
- “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)
- “By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.” (1 John 2:3)
4. Bearing Spiritual Fruit
Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16). A true believer’s life reflects Christ through love, humility, and righteousness.
- “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
Conclusion: A Call for True Discipleship
Matthew 7:21-23 is a wake-up call. It warns us that true faith is more than words or religious activity—it is about a genuine relationship with Jesus that results in obedience.
🔹 Self-Reflection Questions:
- Do I truly know Jesus, or do I just know about Him?
- Am I doing God’s will, or just going through religious motions?
- Is my faith producing spiritual fruit in my life?
The good news is that Jesus invites us into a real relationship with Him. If we seek Him with a sincere heart, trust in His grace, and walk in obedience, we can be confident that we truly belong to Him.
"Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?" — 2 Corinthians 13:5
No comments:
Post a Comment