“Not
everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’ Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’”
Matthew 7:21-23
Matthew 7 [15.] “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree produces good fruit; but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit. A good tree can’t produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit. Every tree that doesn’t grow good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’ Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’
Matthew 7 [24.] “Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded on the rock.
Meaning:
- True Obedience to God:
Jesus emphasizes that mere verbal acknowledgment of Him as Lord is insufficient for entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven. Instead, true discipleship involves obedience to the will of the Father. Actions motivated by genuine faith and submission to God's authority are essential for true discipleship.
- Deceptive Appearances:
Jesus warns against the danger of outward religious activities devoid of genuine relationship with Him. Some individuals may perform impressive acts of ministry in Jesus' name, such as prophesying, casting out demons, and performing miracles. However, these external displays of spirituality do not guarantee acceptance by God if they are not accompanied by genuine faith and obedience.
- Rejection by Christ:
Despite the outward appearance of religious fervor, Jesus declares that He will reject those who practice lawlessness or iniquity. This rejection is a solemn reminder that outward actions alone do not define one's relationship with God. Only those who truly know and obey Christ will experience fellowship with Him for eternity.
Significance:
Call to Authentic Faith: Matthew 7:21-23 serves as a call to authentic faith and obedience to Christ. Believers are reminded that genuine discipleship involves not only professing Jesus as Lord but also living in accordance with His teachings and commands. True faith is evidenced by a transformed life characterized by obedience to God's will.
Warning Against Hypocrisy: The passage serves as a warning against the dangers of religious hypocrisy. It cautions against relying solely on outward displays of spirituality or religious accomplishments while neglecting the condition of the heart. We are called to examine our motives and ensure that our actions align with a genuine desire to honor and obey God.
Assurance of True Relationship: Matthew 7:21-23 also provides assurance to those who genuinely know and obey Christ. While outward appearances may deceive, true disciples can have confidence in our relationship with God. Our obedience flows from a heart transformed by the grace of God, resulting in a life marked by genuine faith and righteousness.
Cross References:
Luke 6:46: In a parallel passage, Jesus poses a similar question about the connection between obedience and genuine discipleship: "Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things which I say?"
James 1:22: James exhorts believers to be doers of the word, not just hearers, emphasizing the importance of active obedience: "But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves."
In Conclusion: Matthew 7:21-23 underscores the importance of genuine faith and obedience in the life of a disciple. It serves as a solemn reminder that outward displays of religious fervor are insufficient for entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven. True discipleship involves not only professing Jesus as Lord but also living in accordance with His will. We are called to examine our hearts, ensuring that our faith is accompanied by obedience and a genuine relationship with Christ.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible