As we have discovered, the sayings of Jesus are impossible to do without the life of Jesus in us to do them. This is the meaning of “in Christ”. Then there are the sayings that are very difficult to even hear, much less do. They challenge what we want to believe about God. They highlight what we want to ignore.
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
In my humble opinion, as one of the two most terrifying passages in all of the Bible (the other is 2Thessalonians 2:9-11), this saying of Jesus is the most sobering in the entire Sermon on the Mount. Many have gone to great lengths to explain away its meaning. Why? Because it reveals a facet of God’s character that many would prefer not to consider: His severity. We do so at our peril and the peril of those we love and lead.
Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. Romans 11:22
Our God is a just God (Psalm 7:11). This is one of the things we like about God – when He is just on our behalf, or just against the wicked. What we don’t like to consider – nor communicate – is the just rebuke, chastening and scourging of our loving Father and Savior (Hebrews 12:5-11; Revelations 3:19).
God has given us these sobering words for our good – out of His goodness. Considering such things may make us uncomfortable and concerned about our relationship with Him. It may even cause us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). Imagine that!
When Jesus says something in a straight forward way – as in this passage – we should take Him at His word. Think about it. He did not come to trick us with the truth. Why would He say something about a topic as important as entering the kingdom, in a way that might mislead His followers? It just doesn’t make sense.
So, how do we hear, understand, and do this saying of Jesus? The answer is simple, for only those who do the will of the Father enter into heaven. We simply surrender to the Father’s will.
If anyone wills to do His (the Father’s) will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I (Jesus) speak on My own authority. John 7:17
This is, of course, easier said than done. It includes putting aside our personal desires. It is embracing His will for every moment of our lives – even when we don’t know what His will is going to be. The only way for us to know that we are doing the will of God (and shall enter the kingdom of heaven) is to trust Him completely.
This is important: Trusting God completely means refusing to trust in anyone else. ANYONE ELSE!! Please, please, please, don’t dismiss this. It is a sever truth; and it is something worth fighting for. Don’t let you carnal mind take this away from you.
In closing, be encouraged in the knowledge that God has put the desire to do His will in our hearts. He has promised to give us that desire (Psalm 37:4), when we surrender to the work He is doing in us.
…for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13.
Wonder of wonders, it is His good pleasure to give us His kingdom (Luke 12:32).
God bless you with grace and courage to surrender to His will.
Humbly yours and forever His,
Rob
#iamjustthepen