The Works Of Heaven

Read: Matthew 7:21-23

[Jesus said,] “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.” Matthew 7:21

IN WORD

We know we can’t earn salvation by our works. That would be receiving the Kingdom through self-righteousness and not as a gift of grace, which isn’t possible. Even so, Jesus makes it clear that being a Kingdom citizen necessarily involves doing something. Calling Him “Lord” isn’t enough, even though Paul and John later say that whoever professes that Jesus is Lord and that He is the Son of God is giving evidence of salvation (Romans 10:9; 1 John 4:15). Prophesying in His name and doing miracles in His power are not evidence of salvation either, even though such things can be done only in His strength. Only those who do the will of the Father can enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Does this mean obedience earns the Kingdom for us? Of course not. It does, however, mean that those who are truly in a relationship with God through the work of Jesus and the presence of the Spirit will hear His voice and follow Him. We will have hearts inclined toward Him. It isn’t the works that save; a heart rightly motivated to do the works is one that has been truly transformed by grace and the power of the Spirit. In other words, someone can say “Lord” without a changed heart. But no one can live as though the Lord is everything without one. That is the evidence that salvation is genuine.

IN DEED

Do the will of the Father, the works of heaven, but not out of obligation or even to prove that you belong to Him. Do them because the love in your heart for Him motivates you to seek the Kingdom above all else and see it coming to whatever degree possible in your generation. The point isn’t to call Him Lord; it’s to see Him reign—inside of you, outside of you, everywhere. It’s great to pray, “Your Kingdom come.” It’s even better to be part of the answer.

ADDITIONAL READING: Matthew 12:50

Love for God and obedience to God are so completely involved in each other that any one of them implies the other too.

F. F. BRUCE