Thursday 11/10/12

Matthew 7:21-23 ESV

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.'

Here Jesus made it clear that calling Him as Lord doesn't help us enter into heaven. We must do God's will, e.g. love God and love our neighbors, seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with the Lord our God.

The workers of lawless and wicked deeds will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven, even though they call Jesus as Lord and claim to do many great things in His name. Jesus will banish them out of His sight to hell, because their deeds are lawless and they bring forth evil fruit. They just deceive themselves, not God.