“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of heaven—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, and cast out demons in your name, and do many powerful deeds in your name?’ Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you. Go away from me, you lawbreakers!’” —Matthew 7:21–23
Jesus gives us an important red flag in these verses: It is not by our words, however religious or pious they may sound, or by our works, however righteous, gracious or good they may appear, that we secure a right relationship with Him. It is only by His grace that our hearts are changed as we freely relinquish our will into His hands. Anything ultimately good done in a life is from Jesus. We can call Jesus “Lord” all day long, and perhaps even use His great name for the miraculous, yet remain hardened in our hearts and estranged from Him. Scripture gives us an example of this in Acts:
“But some itinerant Jewish exorcists tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were possessed by evil spirits, saying, ‘I sternly warn you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.’ (Now seven sons of a man named Sceva, a Jewish high priest, were doing this.) But the evil spirit replied to them, ‘I know about Jesus and I am acquainted with Paul, but who are you?’ Then the man who was possessed by the evil spirit jumped on them and beat them all into submission. He prevailed against them so that they fled from that house naked and wounded.” —Acts 19:13–16
When one calls Jesus “Lord,” yet consistently does not do what He says, is He really their “Lord”?
Our outward expressions and acts of pride, particularly for personal gain, do not equate to obedience. Anyone can say “Lord,” but that does not make Jesus such if we staunchly refuse to make Him our Master. Unless we know Jesus through a personal relationship, we have no part in the Kingdom of God. Jesus said:
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do what I tell you?” —Luke 6:46
Do we really think we can fool Him? God knows the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts. We hide nothing from Him!
“And no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.” —Hebrews 4:13
Our resistance in allowing Him to be the Master of our lives only brings us harm.
God, who surely has our best interest at heart, knows and loves us completely. He can certainly be fully trusted with our lives and with the lives of those we love. He seeks broken and contrite hearts that are willing to look up and take Him at His Word. He desires and deserves our total trust. King David tells us:
“The sacrifices God desires are a humble spirit—O God, a humble and repentant heart you will not reject.” —Psalm 51:17
God is not looking for an outward, ritualistic relationship with His us. He desires inward obedience, as our desire, not as a burden.
Micah gives us a wonderful definition of God’s requirements for His children:
“He has told you, O man, what is good, and what the LORD really wants from you: He wants you to carry out justice, to love faithfulness, and to live obediently before your God.” —Micah 6:8
Our loving of mercy demonstrates a proper humility before God!
Become More
“Never be afraid to live for Jesus. Never be ashamed to live for Jesus. Never be apathetic in living for Jesus. Be committed.” —Anne Graham Lotz
“Now this is His will, that we believe in Christ, that we repent of sin, that we live a holy life, and that we love one another. This is His will, even our sanctification.” —Matthew Henry
Further Reflections
“Sanctification is a life of Christ-centered choices, made evident in loving obedience to God.” —Mel De Peal
“Living for Jesus a life that is true, Striving to please Him in all that I do; Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free, This is the pathway of blessing for me. O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee, For Thou, in Thy atonement Didst give Thyself for me; I own no other Master, My heart shall be Thy throne, My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.” —Hymn: “Living for Jesus” by Thomas Chisholm