The Upper Room Diaries

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 7:21

This verse has often served its effect by making Christians throughout the centuries pause to reflect. However much thoughts were often left unguided, thus leaving Christians confused about their own standing in Christ. Thus this post serves to help troubled Christians figure out what this verse truly means.

The Greek word for “Lord” is kurios. When used, it can mean “God”, “master” or “sir”. In Jesus’ time, people were doubting him. Most of the time it was unclear what they were addressing Jesus as. Many people addressed Jesus as “kurios” but actually meant “teacher” or “sir” because they do not believe that Jesus is God. Thus, implicitly Jesus here is claiming more than just being “teacher” or “sir”. Jesus is claiming to be God.

Matthew 7:21-23 is part of Jesus’ famous sermon on the mount. In this sermon, Jesus was addressing the multitudes who were mostly Jews who grew up with Greek influence. The distinguishing characteristic about ancient Greek culture was their quest for knowledge and superior wisdom. Hence their obsession with philosophers. In addition to that, the Jews were also looking for a messiah to save them from their current oppressive predicament. Thus their obsession with miracles. This was the make-up of the crowd that Jesus spoke to. People came to Jesus looking for wisdom and miracles rather than in acknowledgement that He is God.

Today, the situation has not changed much. People still come to Christ for all sorts of reasons. Some for security, others for the blessings, and there are still others who chased after miracles. So much so that there are many people today claiming that they are saved by Christ but not living the a saved life.

This verse shows clearly that the litmus test for the true believer is that of obedience. Thus the question becomes, not whether we would end up in heaven after death, but if we are pleasing God by obeying His Word. The true follower after God will inevitably be found spending eternality with God.

This brings us to a very reflective question:

Are we worshipping God because He is God?
Or are we worshipping God to get something from Him?

The test to reveal our hidden intentions, is by us seeking to obey all of God’s Word, not just some of it.