Matthew 7:21

Berean Standard Bible

Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

--------------------------------

True Obedience

"Not all who call me Lord will see the light,

Their lips profess, but hearts remain astray.

The kingdom’s gate is narrow, firm, and bright,

It opens only to the ones who obey."

"Words alone are chaff, blown far by wind,

Deeds align the soul to heaven’s call.

The Father’s will, in action, is enshrined,

True faith is shown in rising after fall."

"Build your house on rock, not shifting sand,

Live the truth, let love and justice reign.

For those who do His will with heart and hand,

Eternal life, not empty words, remain."

--------------------------

The verse in Matthew 7:21, where Jesus declares, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven,” serves as a profound and sobering statement within the broader context of the Sermon on the Mount. This sermon, spanning chapters 5 through 7 of Matthew’s Gospel, is a comprehensive exposition of Jesus’ teachings on the ethics and character of the kingdom of heaven. It challenges listeners to move beyond superficial religion and embrace a transformative, lived faith. To fully grasp the weight of this verse, we must consider its place within the sermon, its theological implications, and its practical demands on those who seek to follow Christ.

The Sermon on the Mount is directed primarily to Jesus’ disciples, though it is delivered in the presence of a larger crowd. It outlines the radical demands of discipleship, emphasizing a righteousness that surpasses that of the religious leaders of the time, such as the Pharisees and scribes. By the time we reach chapter 7, Jesus is concluding his teaching with a series of warnings and exhortations, urging his listeners to choose the path that leads to life. Matthew 7:21 comes within a section that addresses false discipleship, a theme that continues through the subsequent verses about false prophets and the parable of the wise and foolish builders. This context is critical because it frames the verse as a caution against self-deception and empty profession, highlighting the necessity of authentic obedience.

The phrase “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’” immediately grabs attention for its repetition and intensity. In the ancient world, repeating a name or title was a way to express urgency, intimacy, or emphasis. Here, the doubled “Lord, Lord” suggests a fervent, perhaps emotional, profession of faith. It evokes the image of individuals who are outwardly devoted, perhaps even zealous, in their acknowledgment of Jesus’ authority. The term “Lord” (Greek: Kyrios) carries significant weight, as it was used in the Septuagint to translate the divine name Yahweh and, in the New Testament, often signifies Jesus’ divine authority. Thus, those who say “Lord, Lord” are claiming a relationship with Jesus, possibly viewing themselves as his followers. Yet, Jesus’ warning is stark: this verbal profession, no matter how passionate, is insufficient for entry into the kingdom of heaven.

The kingdom of heaven, a central theme in Matthew’s Gospel, refers to the reign of God, both present and future, where God’s will is fully realized. Jesus’ statement implies that entry into this kingdom is not automatic, even for those who appear religious or claim allegiance to him. The criterion for entrance is clear: “only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” This phrase shifts the focus from words to actions, from profession to practice. The “will of my Father” encompasses the entirety of God’s desires and commands as revealed through Jesus’ teachings. In the context of the Sermon on the Mount, this includes the Beatitudes’ call to humility, meekness, and mercy; the emphasis on inner righteousness over external legalism; and the command to love one’s enemies, pray sincerely, and seek first the kingdom. Doing the Father’s will is not about isolated acts of obedience but a consistent life oriented toward God’s purposes.

This emphasis on doing God’s will challenges the religious culture of Jesus’ day, where adherence to the Law and public displays of piety were often markers of faithfulness. The Pharisees, for example, were known for their meticulous observance of religious rituals, yet Jesus critiques their hypocrisy elsewhere in Matthew’s Gospel, accusing them of neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness. In Matthew 7:21, Jesus extends this critique to anyone who relies on verbal profession or outward religiosity without a corresponding life of obedience. The warning is not limited to the religious elite but applies to all who claim to follow Jesus, including his immediate disciples and future generations of believers.

The verse also carries eschatological weight, pointing to the final judgment. The phrase “will enter the kingdom of heaven” suggests a future moment when access to God’s eternal reign is determined. This is reinforced in the verses that follow (Matthew 7:22-23), where Jesus describes people who, on “that day,” appeal to their miraculous deeds—prophesying, casting out demons, and performing wonders in his name—only to be rejected with the chilling words, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” The connection between these verses underscores that even impressive religious activities are insufficient if they are not rooted in a genuine relationship with Jesus and alignment with God’s will. The term “evildoers” (literally, “workers of lawlessness”) suggests that these individuals’ lives were characterized by disobedience, despite their outward claims and actions.

This raises a theological question: what does it mean to “do the will of my Father”? At its core, it involves a holistic commitment to living out the teachings of Jesus, who reveals the Father’s will. The Sermon on the Mount provides a blueprint for this, calling for a righteousness that permeates the heart, transforms relationships, and prioritizes God’s kingdom over worldly concerns. It is not enough to perform religious acts or invoke Jesus’ name; one’s life must reflect the character and priorities of the kingdom. This aligns with broader New Testament teachings, such as James 2:17, which states that faith without works is dead, and 1 John 2:17, which affirms that “whoever does the will of God abides forever.” Doing the Father’s will is thus an expression of authentic faith, a faith that bears fruit in obedience.

The verse also invites reflection on the nature of hypocrisy and self-deception. Those who say “Lord, Lord” may sincerely believe they are faithful, yet Jesus’ words suggest they have misunderstood what true discipleship entails. This is a sobering reminder that it is possible to be active in religious life—attending worship, praying fervently, or even performing miracles—while missing the heart of God’s will. The parable of the wise and foolish builders, which concludes the Sermon on the Mount, reinforces this point. The wise builder is the one who hears Jesus’ words and puts them into practice, building a life that withstands the storms of judgment. The foolish builder, by contrast, hears but does not act, and their house collapses. Matthew 7:21 sets the stage for this parable, emphasizing that true discipleship is measured by obedience, not just knowledge or profession.

For modern readers, this verse remains profoundly relevant. It challenges contemporary expressions of faith that prioritize emotional experiences, public declarations, or religious activity over a life of consistent obedience. In a culture where Christianity can sometimes be reduced to a label or a set of cultural practices, Jesus’ words call believers to examine their hearts and actions. Are they living in alignment with God’s will as revealed in Scripture, or are they relying on outward markers of faith? The verse also speaks to the temptation to separate faith from ethics, as if one can claim Jesus as Lord while ignoring his teachings on justice, mercy, and love. True discipleship, according to Jesus, integrates belief and behavior, confession and conduct.

Furthermore, the verse underscores the relational aspect of faith. By emphasizing the “will of my Father,” Jesus points to the personal nature of God, who desires a relationship with his people. Doing the Father’s will is not about earning salvation through works but about responding to God’s grace with a life of faithful obedience. This aligns with Jesus’ teaching in John 14:15, where he says, “If you love me, keep my commands.” Obedience flows from a relationship of love and trust, not from legalistic obligation. Those who enter the kingdom are those who know and are known by God, as evidenced by their lives of faithful action.

In conclusion, Matthew 7:21 is a call to authentic discipleship, warning against the dangers of superficial faith and urging believers to align their lives with the will of God. It challenges us to move beyond words and rituals to a faith that transforms every aspect of our existence. As part of the Sermon on the Mount, it encapsulates Jesus’ vision for a kingdom community marked by integrity, obedience, and love. For those who hear these words, the invitation is clear: to follow Jesus is to do the will of the Father, building a life that endures because it is rooted in the truth of his teachings.

--------------------------------

Grace and peace to you, beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who calls us into the fellowship of his kingdom through the power of his Spirit. I write to you as one compelled by the love of Christ, not with my own wisdom, but with the truth revealed in his Word, that you may stand firm in faith and live as those who bear the name of our Savior. My heart is stirred to address you concerning the words of our Lord in the Gospel, where he declares with piercing clarity, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” These words are not a mere teaching but a divine summons, a call to examine the authenticity of our faith and to walk in the obedience that flows from a heart transformed by grace. Let us, therefore, reflect deeply on this truth, that we may be found faithful when we stand before the throne of our King.

Consider the weight of what Jesus proclaims. To call him “Lord, Lord” is no small thing. It is to confess with the lips that he is sovereign, the one to whom all allegiance is owed, the eternal Son through whom the Father has spoken salvation to the world. In the days of our Lord’s earthly ministry, such a confession was bold, for to name him Lord was to set him above all earthly powers, even Caesar himself. Yet Jesus, with eyes that see the heart, warns that words alone, no matter how fervent, do not secure a place in the kingdom. The lips may cry out in adoration, the tongue may proclaim his name in worship, but if the life does not reflect the will of the Father, such cries are but echoes in the wind. This is a sobering reminder, beloved, that our faith is not a matter of speech alone but of a life surrendered to the purposes of God. The kingdom of heaven, where God’s reign is fully realized, is not entered by those who merely profess but by those who perform, not by those who speak of Christ but by those who embody his commands.

Let us ponder what it means to do the will of the Father. The will of God is not a mystery hidden from us, for in Christ it has been fully revealed. Our Lord, in his Sermon on the Mount, has laid before us the blueprint of a life that pleases the Father—a life marked by humility, mercy, purity of heart, and a hunger for righteousness. To do the Father’s will is to love as Christ loves, to forgive as he forgives, to seek justice and show compassion, to pray without ceasing, and to trust in God’s provision rather than the fleeting treasures of this world. It is to take up the cross daily, denying ourselves for the sake of his name, and to live not for our own glory but for the glory of the One who sent him. This is no mere checklist of deeds, beloved, but a transformation of the heart, wrought by the Spirit, that aligns our desires with God’s desires and our actions with his commands. For the Father’s will is not a burden but a gift, the path to life abundant, where we find our true selves in submission to his purposes.

Yet how easily we fall into the trap of empty profession! In our day, as in the days of Jesus, there are those who fill their lives with religious activity—attending gatherings, singing songs of praise, posting declarations of faith on social media, or even performing great works in his name—yet their hearts remain untouched by the transforming power of the gospel. Jesus’ words in the verses that follow haunt us: many will come on that day, claiming to have prophesied, cast out demons, and done wonders in his name, only to hear, “I never knew you. Depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” This is a warning not only to false prophets but to all who bear the name of Christ. It is possible, dear friends, to deceive ourselves, to mistake activity for intimacy, to confuse busyness with obedience. The one who does the Father’s will is not the one who performs the most impressive feats but the one whose life is rooted in a genuine relationship with Christ, where every thought, word, and deed flows from a heart that knows and is known by him.

Let me speak plainly, as one who longs for your souls to flourish in the truth. The world around us is loud with distractions, offering countless ways to profess faith without living it. We are tempted to settle for a Christianity that demands little more than a Sunday service or a hashtag, a faith that costs us nothing and changes us not at all. But Christ calls us to more—to a life that mirrors his own, a life of sacrifice, service, and steadfast love. Examine yourselves, therefore, and ask: Does my life reflect the will of the Father? Do I seek his kingdom first, or am I chasing the approval of others? Do I forgive those who wrong me, or do I harbor bitterness? Do I speak truth in love, or do I wield my words as weapons? Do I serve the least of these, as Jesus did, or do I turn away from those in need? These are not questions to condemn you but to awaken you, that you may walk in the light of his truth and not stumble in the darkness of self-deception.

Consider the parable that follows our Lord’s warning, the story of the wise and foolish builders. The wise builder, who hears Jesus’ words and puts them into practice, builds a house that stands firm against the storms. The foolish builder, who hears but does not act, builds on sand, and their house falls with a great crash. This is the practical outworking of Matthew 7:21. To do the Father’s will is to build your life on the rock of Christ’s teachings, to let his words shape your decisions, your relationships, your priorities. In a world that shifts like sand—where trends fade, economies falter, and human approval wanes—only the life built on obedience to Christ will endure. And this obedience is not a solo endeavor, beloved. It is lived out in community, where we bear one another’s burdens, correct one another in love, and spur one another on to good works. Together, as the body of Christ, we reflect the Father’s will to a watching world, showing that his kingdom is not a distant hope but a present reality.

I urge you, therefore, to live as those who know the cost of discipleship. Do not be content with a faith that speaks but does not act, that professes but does not perform. Let your life be a testimony to the transforming power of Christ, who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. If you find yourself lacking, do not despair, for our God is rich in mercy. Turn to him in repentance, seek his Spirit for strength, and lean on the grace that is sufficient for every need. The kingdom of heaven is not earned by your works but received through faith—a faith that proves itself genuine through obedience. And know that you do not walk alone. The Spirit dwells within you, the Word guides you, and the body of Christ surrounds you, that together we may do the will of the Father and enter the joy of his kingdom.

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

-----------------------------------

O God of all glory, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, whose will is perfect and whose kingdom endures forever, we come before you with humble hearts, seeking to align our lives with your divine purpose as your Son has taught us. Your Word declares through him, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” These words pierce our souls, O Lord, revealing the depth of your call to true obedience, a life not of empty words but of faithful action. We stand in awe of your holiness and tremble at the weight of your truth, yet we are comforted by your boundless grace, which empowers us to walk in your ways.

You are the sovereign King, enthroned above all creation, yet you draw near to us as a loving Father, inviting us into the fellowship of your kingdom. We confess, O God, that too often our lips proclaim your name while our hearts stray from your will. We have spoken “Lord, Lord” with fervor, yet failed to embody the righteousness, mercy, and love that your Son exemplified. Forgive us, we pray, for the times we have chosen words over deeds, appearance over substance, and self over sacrifice. Your Son’s warning echoes in our hearts, urging us to build our lives on the solid rock of your commands, that we may stand firm in the day of trial.

We lift our voices to you, Almighty One, asking for the strength of your Spirit to do your will. Grant us wisdom to discern your purposes, courage to follow your path, and humility to seek your glory above our own. May our faith be more than a cry in the sanctuary, more than a song in the night; let it be a life poured out in service, a heart transformed by grace, a hand extended to the broken and the lost. As Jesus taught us to hunger and thirst for righteousness, fill us with a burning desire to live out your justice, to show your compassion, to walk humbly with you in every step.

O Lord, you know the frailty of our hearts, the ease with which we fall into self-deception, mistaking religious fervor for true devotion. Guard us from the hypocrisy that claims your name while ignoring your call to love our neighbors, to forgive our enemies, and to care for the least of these. Illuminate our minds with your Word, that we may see clearly the narrow path that leads to life. Empower us to bear fruit worthy of your kingdom, to reflect your light in a world shrouded in darkness, and to proclaim your gospel not only with words but with lives that honor you.

We pray for your church, the body of Christ, scattered across the earth yet united in your Spirit. May we, as your people, be a living testimony of your will, a community of faith that does not merely confess your lordship but embodies it in acts of love, justice, and reconciliation. Knit us together, O God, that we may encourage one another, bear one another’s burdens, and spur each other on to good works, that the world may see our deeds and glorify you, our Father in heaven.

In the midst of trials and temptations, keep us steadfast, O Lord. When the storms of life rage, anchor us to the rock of your truth. When our hearts grow weary, renew us with the joy of your salvation. When we stumble, lift us up by your merciful hand, for your grace is sufficient, and your power is made perfect in our weakness. Teach us to pray without ceasing, to trust without wavering, and to obey without hesitation, that our lives may be a fragrant offering to you.

We thank you, O God, for the gift of your Son, who not only spoke your will but lived it perfectly, showing us the way to your kingdom. Through his death and resurrection, we are reconciled to you, adopted as your children, and sealed with your Spirit. May we never take this grace for granted but respond with lives of faithful obedience, doing your will as he did, even to the cross. Let our every thought, word, and deed be a reflection of his love, a testimony to his lordship, and a foretaste of the kingdom that is to come.

To you, O Father, be all glory, honor, and praise, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.