Jump Start # 183 

Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in Heaven will enter.”

  Entering Heaven—what a wonderful thought! Can you imagine! Have you ever thought about what it will look like? Have you ever considered who you will see? Amazing. There is so much written about entering Heaven. It seems everyone has their own take on it. I tend to let the Lord say because, most of all, it is His house and He determines who will be there.

  The context of this passage continues with the next two verses. Let’s read them: “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast our demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness” (Mt 7:22-23).

  Notice several observations here:

First: the repeated words. Twice (21, 22) the expression, “Lord, Lord.” This is used for emphasis. Actually, the people who will speak these words are stunned. They are in shock. They thought they’d be in Heaven with Jesus. The reason: look what they did. Prophesied, cast out demons, preformed miracles. That’s incredible on a resume. I don’t know anyone who could attest to that.

Also notice among the repeated words, “In Your Name.” They say that three times in verse 22. It is as if they think the Lord owes them Heaven. It is in YOUR name, not OUR name that we did all these things.

  Second observation: see the connection from verse 21 & verse 23? Not doing the will of the Father is the same as lawlessness. These were free spirits that were bent on doing things their own way. They were not bound nor conformed to any set rules, just moving and doing as their heart led them. That appeals to a lot of people. Some are tired of old ways. Some don’t want restrictions. Just let me worship and love the Lord how ever I am compelled. As wonderful as that sounds, God hates it. It is lawlessness to Him. Those free spirits and attitudes were cast out away from Heaven. It’s not about us, it’s about God. It’s about humbling ourselves and doing things the way He says it. God never says, “surprise me.” God never says, “do something original.” He wants us to follow His way. He has designed the way to be worshipped. He knows what pleases Him. What we like, obviously from this passage, is not always what He likes. He knows. Can we submit to Him? Can we bow to Him? Can we do things His way?

  Those that can’t will be cast out. Cain and Abel remind us that there is a way to worship correctly and a way that displeases God. Which will we do?

  There is another thought from this passage, but we will leave it for another day.

  Entering Heaven. How bad do you want it? So much, that you will do what the Bible says? No matter what it says? It’s not the missions overseas…it’s not the great things we do for the homeless, it’s humbling our will and doing the will of the Father. Remember, on the cross, Jesus said, “Not my will be done, but Thine.” That is what we must come to as well.

Roger