In His warning to "Beware of false prophets" in the preceding passage (vv.15-20), Jesus Christ taught that we should judge the inner nature of a person by the outward works he performs, not by his outward appearance. But He here in this passage (vv.21-23) further teaches that even these outward works may be deceiving – and even self-deceiving.
I. ENTRANCE INTO HEAVEN IS NOT GUARANTEED TO EVERY DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST.
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven" (v.21a). He who calls Jesus "Lord, Lord," and not merely "Lord," emphasizes his discipleship to the Lord. But many such disciples will have the door of heaven shut to them at the last day, and all their pleas for entry will be denied (Luke 13:25-28; cp. the "foolish virgins" of Matthew 25:1-13). What a sobering thought!
II. ENTRANCE INTO HEAVEN WILL BE DENIED TO MANY SELF-DECEIVED DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST.
"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!'" (v.22f). Entrance into heaven will be denied
to many who in God's name:
1) Prophesied. These include Balaam (Numbers 23-24; also 31:8). These include also many others who have been given "the gift of prophecy" and been made to "understand all mysteries and all knowledge" (1 Corinthians 13:2). These include yet others who have exercised impressive oratorical skills in the pulpit and in prayer.
2) Exercised. These include sons of Pharisees (Matthew 12:27), and certain "itinerant Jewish exorcists" who imitated the ministry of Paul the apostle (Acts 19:13f).
3) Worked miracles. These include many who may boast that "I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains" (1 Corinthians 13:2).
4) Did all the above. These include Judas Iscariot, one of the Lord's twelve apostles (Matthew 10:2), to whom was given power to prophesy that "The kingdom of heaven is at hand", and to "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons" (vv.7f), but who nevertheless is forever a "son of perdition" (John 17:12). And these would certainly include many Pentecostal and charismatic ministers who by their outward fruits prove themselves to be "false prophets" (see Matthew 7:15-20).
III. ENTRANCE INTO HEAVEN WILL BE GRANTED TO EVERY OBEDIENT DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST.
Entrance will be obtained by "he who does the will of My Father in heaven" (v.21b). It is not God's will that every disciple prophesy or exorcise or perform miracles (cp. Matthew 11:11 with John 10:41), and many who do so act contrary to God's will. Rather, it is God's will "that you believe in Him whom He sent" (John 6:29). Jesus Christ, He whom God sent, teaches that God's will is performed by "whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them" (vv.24-27; cp. Luke 6:46f; James 1:22; John 8:31).
Will you obtain entrance into the kingdom of heaven?
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