Articles
Matthew 7:21-23
Throughout God’s Word, there are key verses that stand out and grab our attention. Jesus made a very bold statement in Matthew 7:21 when He stated, “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 made this declaration early in His ministry. Looking closely at this verse and the two verses that follow, we learn that there is nothing more important for us than to “enter the kingdom of heaven.” First, Jesus tells us who will NOT enter the kingdom of heaven. It is not enough to just say to Jesus, “Lord, Lord.” What did Jesus mean when He said that? Looking at verse 22, we read, “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 the people who called Him, “Lord, Lord” list some of the things that they have done for Him in His name.
It appears that some impressive actions were taken in His name. These people sincerely thought what they were doing was right, acceptable, and even commendable by the Lord. Was there something wrong with what they were doing? It all sounds very good and looks good. However, Jesus gave a stern rebuke and condemnation to these individuals. Jesus announces in verse 23, “And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” These people were just told by Jesus, “I never knew you”, “depart from Me,” and “You practice lawlessness.” These who proclaimed all of the wonderful things they had done in His name must have been in shock from His statements.
Jesus warned very clearly in verse 21 that not everyone would enter the kingdom of heaven. Next, He gave a clear illustration that He is very serious about His warning. Jesus will not hesitate to condemn for all eternity those “who practice lawlessness.”
Jesus makes it very clear in verse 21 about who SHALL enter the kingdom of heaven. “He who does the will of My Father in heaven,” shall enter the kingdom of heaven. Reading from verses 13-14 earlier in the chapter, we know that there are a VERY LIMITED number of people who will enter the narrow gate.
In these few verses, Jesus sets both the limits and specifications of those who will enter into the kingdom of heaven. Are you in that number? Are you doing the will of the Father in heaven? Will you enter in through the narrow gate? We must make the choices in our lives that will allow us to be among that number who enter by the narrow gate. Have you obeyed the Lord? Written by Larry Schneider
