[260 words]
In Matthew 7:21 Jesus makes an important statement: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.”
Just because you call Jesus as Lord doesn’t mean you are part of his kingdom. You may profess Him but that does not mean you part of his possession.
Consider the next verses as well: “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.’
Notice these are not insincere professors. They are actively doing things in his name. We can’t dismiss them as non-commits, or liars. They are doing things that would seemingly make you think they are fully engrossed in the cause.
But he does not claim them because he does not know them. Why? They never did the will of the Father.
Being in the will of the Father isn’t just about action, it is about the right action. You can have all kinds of claims to fame but it you never did what he told you to do then it does not make you part of his kingdom.
So consider this simple question: “Have you done what he wants you to do or what you thought you should do?” One will lead to heaven and the other will not.
Barry Haynes
Hope church of Christ
Hope, AR