Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 7:21-23

Matthew 7:21-23

These couple of verses in Matthew 7 cut deep to the core. Jesus is expressing how spiritual ritual or duties or works cannot save us. That’s pretty counter cultural to a world that is success driven. You can’t work your way into heaven and that is clear in these verses. We have to fully know the personhood of Jesus. The one who died for unity with us ACTUALLY wants to be reconciled to us, not to our works. 

When they say “Lord, Lord” it’s an appropriate address to a God of High honor. But you can say it and not mean it. And that is what is revealed here in Matthew. How often do you speak about Jesus but don’t take the time to learn and obey Him? There is deep wonder and awe in His presence that we should be eager to explore, not just confess and believe that is “enough”. 

Jesus is speaking to people who the world would call “impressive”. They were able to cast out demons and speak in prophesy, but Jesus reveals that it meant nothing because it was not done in honest obedience and reverence to God. God does not want your works, He wants your heart.

How are you tempted to believe that your works will satisfy you or make you worthy of heaven? How can you believe that Jesus just wants you and nothing else?