Matthew 7:21-23
Is everyone who goes to church saved?
How do we miss entrance into the kingdom of heaven?
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”
BACKGROUND
After talking about the necessity of love and good fruit, Jesus addresses works as a means to gain entrance into heaven. In a nutshell, Jesus says works avail to nothing, even if they are amazing works. Elsewhere Paul affirmed this in Ephesians 2:8-9, “By grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works.”
Good works are part of the Christian life, but some think they gain them entrance into heaven. This is a self-deception, where one thinks they gain entrance by doing good deeds, even powerful deeds like those mentioned. But this is a grave error.
In James 2:24, Jesus’ brother states, “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” This would seem to contradict both Jesus and Paul. Yet there is a significant difference.
Paul is talking about works of the law whereas James is talking about good works or simple obedience to do good works to benefit others. The evidence of our salvation is seen in our good works, they testify that along with faith we have salvation. Paul actually agrees with this in Ephesians because he also says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” So in the same breath Paul talks about works of the law which do not merit salvation and good works which evidence salvation. Thus, he agrees with James.
Jesus also said in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Notice that he is talking about a saved person who has light to shine. Then he references good works. Not works of the law, but simple good works.
Today’s passage shows works apart from a relationship with Jesus. In fact, the works mentioned here are of a high spiritual nature, prophecy, casting out demons, and mighty works. How often do you do these things? This isn’t helping the less fortunate, visiting prisoners, and such. These would seem to be spiritually powerful works. But even so, they do not merit salvation.
EXAMINATION
(V.21) “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven…”
“Lord,” is repeated twice. Why did Jesus say “Lord, Lord,” rather than just “Lord?” There is emphasis here. Saying Lord in this context is a reference to Jesus’ role as messiah, and thus, his deity. He must be deity in this passage because he restricts entrance into heaven; something only God can do. This tells us that those who say, “Lord, Lord” have the knowledge of Jesus’ deity. But knowing Jesus’ deity is not enough. James 2:19 states, “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!”
(V.21) “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
Again Jesus makes reference to his deity by saying, “My Father.” The Jews recognized this as a claim to deity. In John 10:33 the Jews responded to Jesus, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.”
Saying “My Father” also describes Jesus’ authority. Consider how many times in this one verse Jesus makes reference to his deity. Three times! First by saying “Lord, Lord.” Second by restricting entrance to heaven. And third by saying, “My Father.”
What is the will of the Father?
First, it is God’s will that we believe in Jesus. John 6:40, “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life.” This is not merely an intellectual assent. To believe is to trust. Thus, this is relational, not just intellectual.
How do you know you’re doing the will of the Father and not your own will?
(V.22) “On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name…”
What day is Jesus referring to? Judgment day. Paul makes reference to that day in II Timothy 4:8, “There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day.” It is judgment day because Paul calls Jesus “the righteous judge.”
Here Jesus begins to outlay three types of spiritual work that people think will give them entrance into heaven. These are high level works. Prophecy is the first one. Prophecy is usually seen as a Spirit-gifted activity. As we discussed last week, there are three activities of a prophet,
- Foretelling the future
- Doing miracles (Moses, Elijah, and Elisha)
- Forth-telling, declaring truth to a king or society.
A false prophet can imitate the last one. He may even be able to predict future things, especially by predicting something far beyond his lifetime so his words can’t be checked among his peers.
As already noted, it is not enough to believe in Christ intellectually, we must know him.
(V.22) “…and cast out demons in your name…”
Here is another high level activity. Demons don’t just obey anyone. People in Acts tried to use Jesus’ name to cast out demons and look what happened to them. Acts 19:13-16 notes, “Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, ‘I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.’ Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. But the evil spirit answered them, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?’ And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.”
Notice that the demon said, “Who are you?” I.E., Who do you think you are? You have no authority. They had no authority because they had no relationship with Christ. Authority always comes through relationship.
(V.22) “…and do many mighty works in your name?”
These works might include healing people. Also, preaching to large crowds, even in the thousands. Miraculous works have no weight in gaining salvation. Especially if those works are done without Christ. Remember that pharaoh’s magicians duplicated some of Moses’ works. Yet, they were not saved. In the end times the false prophet will do miraculous works on behalf of the beast (the anti-Christ). But they merit no salvation.
Commentator John Courson says, “The Book of Acts talks about Simon the Sorcerer, who did miracles, but not in the power of the Spirit (Acts 8). In Moses’ day, Pharaoh’s magicians copied, to a certain extent, the miracles of God, but it was by the power of the devil. The Lord could have been simply using them in spite of themselves (Exodus 7-8). The Lord used Balaam, even though Balaam was not right with Him (Numbers 22-24). He prophesied through King Saul (I Samuel 10), even though Saul’s heart was far from Him.” (1)
Why do you think Jesus emphasizes obedience over outward religious actions such as prophecy, miracles, or casting out demons? Wouldn’t these works prove the doer is a true believer?
(V.23) “And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you…”
This may seem to be a strange statement. If Jesus is deity then he knows everyone. So, how can he say, “I never knew you?” The key is to understand what Jesus means by the word “know.” In this case knowing someone is experiential, relational. He is essentially saying that such people have no relationship with him. He has never experienced their love and devotion.
Here is the bottom line. Getting to heaven is not a matter of what you do. In my ministry with Jesus film Project I’ve led a ministry that has had over 1 billion views of the story of Jesus on television in over 150 countries. Millions may have come to faith in Christ. And, I’m working toward reaching another 1 billion before the end of this decade. Yet, even if I reach 2 billion for Christ that does not merit me salvation. Without a real relationship with Christ I would be forever lost no matter what I’ve done.
Getting into heaven is not a matter of what you do, it’s a matter of who you know.
If a person came and knocked on your door, looking disheveled and dirty and asked to come in and watch your TV and eat your food and sleep in your bed, you’re not likely to let him in. But if your son or daughter came to your door with him and said, “Dad, this is Tom. I know he looks like a mess, and he’s got some issues to deal with, but he’s my friend. Can we come in?” You are more likely to say, “Any friend of yours is a friend of mine. Come on in.” This is what Jesus does for us. Jesus tells the Father, this is Tom, he’s my friend. And the Father says, “Come on in.”
When Jesus says, “I never knew you,” he means that he had no relationship with you. Thus, you’re not getting in the door.
This passage also hints at something we call the invisible church and the visible church. The invisible church are those who have come to a saving knowledge of Christ. Some are on earth and some are in heaven. They are truly saved. But the visible church is different. The visible church contains real believers and unbelievers. They may do good works and be seen in our churches, but have not made a true commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord. We may think they are Christians because they talk the talk. But in reality they don’t walk the walk. They will be surprised and terrified when they hear Jesus say, “I never knew you.”
Are you in the visible church or the invisible church?
(V.23) “…depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.”
Did you catch this? These are people who prophesy, cast out demons, and do mighty works, all good things, yet Jesus calls them “Lawless.” Why are they lawless if they do such good works?
The Greek word used here for lawless is anomian. It’s where we get our word, antinomian from, which means without law. These people are lawless because they have no relationship with the law giver. This is important because it sheds light on our understanding of the Old Testament law and how Jesus applied it.
Which came first, law or relationship? Clearly, relationship. God initiated a relationship first with Abraham, then down to the Israelites in captivity. He entered into a saving relationship with his people then later, gave them the law. The law was based on relationship. Thus, to say they are lawless is to say they have no saving relationship with Christ.
INTERPRETATION
What is Jesus’ big idea for this passage? There are self-deceived, false believers in the church. Don’t be one of them.
A number of years ago I had a good friend, Rick, that I worked in ministry with. We knew each other for many years. But as time went on he began taking a liberal view of the scriptures until he came to a point where he said to me, “You know, I don’t believe the Bible is the word of God anymore.” Eventually, he became a Buddhist. He began to see Jesus through Buddhist principles rather than for who he really is. He went on to hate and despise Christians, blaming the church for much of the world’s ills. He still thinks he’s saved or some such equivalence. He was not only part of the church, he also volunteered in ministry. But someday, if he doesn’t repent, he will hear Jesus say, “I never knew you.”
There are many so called spiritual activities that we take part in, in the church. Bible studies, sacraments, social gatherings, mercy projects, missions, teaching, evangelism, and so on. We can participate in all of them and yet not have a genuine relationship with the Lord. So called good works do not merit salvation. They can be a sign that we have salvation, but they don’t merit it. False believers, as we’ve seen, may also participate in these things. But if they are not growing in love for Christ and growing spiritually, then they have no salvation.
APPLICATION
How can we avoid self-deception and ensure that our faith and works align with God’s will?
1. Evaluate the authenticity of your faith
True discipleship is not about merely professing faith with words but living in obedience to God’s will. Reflect on whether your actions align with God’s Word and demonstrate a heart that seeks to honor Him.
2. Prioritize knowing God over doing for God
Spiritual activities (like serving, preaching, or acts of charity) are good but must flow out of a genuine relationship with Christ. Focus on deepening your personal connection with God through prayer, scripture, and worship.
3. Guard against spiritual pride
It’s easy to rely on external accomplishments to validate faith. This passage warns against finding security in deeds rather than in Christ Himself. Ask yourself, “Am I depending on what I’ve done for God, or what God has done for me?”
4. Submit to God’s will in daily life
Knowing and doing the will of God requires submission and surrender. Ask for God’s guidance and strength to live in obedience to His commands, especially in difficult situations.
5. Recognize the danger of self-deception
This passage is a sobering reminder that not all who appear to follow Christ truly know Him. Regularly examine your heart to ensure you are living in repentance and humility rather than presuming on God’s grace.
6. Focus on relationship, not rote practices
At the heart of this passage is the statement, “I never knew you.” Make it a priority to cultivate an intimate relationship with Christ that transforms your life, rather than simply fulfilling religious expectations.
7. Encourage accountability and spiritual growth
Surround yourself with fellow believers who will encourage and challenge you to grow in faith and live out God’s will. Share honestly about areas where obedience or spiritual focus might need growth.
This passage is a call to sincerity of faith in Christ, emphasizing that God desires a transformed heart and life, not merely outward appearances or accomplishments.
(1) Courson, Jon. 2003. Jon Courson’s Application Commentary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.
