Lesson 23 – True and False Disciples

Matthew 7:21-23 

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’  Then I will tell them plainly, ’I never knew you.  Away from me, you evildoers!’

In these verses, Jesus teaches about the distinction between true and false disciples. He emphasizes that merely professing faith in Him and addressing Him as "Lord" is not sufficient for entering the kingdom of heaven. True discipleship involves more than mere words; it requires obedience to the will of the Father in heaven.

Jesus warns that on the day of judgment, many individuals will claim to have performed miraculous works and spiritual activities in His name. They may have even prophesied, cast out demons, and performed miracles, seemingly in alignment with Jesus' authority. However, Jesus declares that He will reject them and say, "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!"

These individuals may have been involved in religious activities and appeared to have a spiritual connection with Jesus, but their actions and motives were not aligned with God's will. Their deeds were driven by self-interest, personal gain, or a false sense of righteousness rather than a genuine relationship with God.

Jesus' response highlights the importance of sincerity, obedience, and an authentic relationship with Him. True discipleship involves knowing Jesus intimately and following His teachings with a genuine heart. It goes beyond outward acts of religiosity and demonstrates a transformed life that reflects God's love, righteousness, and obedience.

This passage serves as a cautionary reminder to evaluate our own faith and actions. It calls us to examine our motives and ensure that we are not merely giving lip service to Jesus, but genuinely living out His teachings and doing the will of the Father. It emphasizes the significance of a personal relationship with Jesus, rooted in love and obedience, as the defining factor for true discipleship and entrance into the kingdom of heaven.