MATTHEW 7:21-23
THE TRUE DISCIPLE
INTRODUCTION
Matthew 7:21-23 serves as a powerful conclusion to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, emphasizing the distinction between mere outward appearances of faith and genuine discipleship. In this passage, Jesus warns that not everyone who claims to follow Him will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only those who do the will of His Father. This stark warning highlights the importance of obedience and true commitment to God’s will over superficial acts of piety or religious words. The passage challenges believers to examine the authenticity of their faith, reminding them that God looks beyond external actions and into the heart’s intentions.
The gravity of Jesus’ message in Matthew 7:21-23 lies in the sobering reality that many will believe they have served God faithfully, only to be rejected on the Day of Judgment. This passage calls Christians to move beyond a superficial faith that relies on lip service or impressive works, urging them instead to cultivate a deep and sincere relationship with God. True discipleship, as Jesus defines it, requires an alignment of one’s actions with God’s will, reflecting a life that genuinely honors Him in both word and deed. Through this commentary, we will explore the profound implications of this teaching and its relevance for believers today, encouraging a faith that is not just proclaimed but lived out in full obedience to God’s commands.
Matthew 7:21 “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.”
Matthew 7:21 is a powerful verse within Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, emphasizing the necessity of genuine discipleship and obedience to God’s will rather than mere verbal acknowledgment of faith. In this verse, the repetition of “Lord, Lord” indicates a disciple’s zeal or intimacy with Jesus. However, Jesus makes it clear that such a declaration alone is insufficient for entry into the Kingdom of Heaven. The true requirement is doing the will of the Father.
Catholic Perspective
In Catholic teaching, this passage underscores the importance of aligning one’s actions with faith. Mere lip service without charity or worship without mercy is unacceptable to God. Faith, according to Catholic doctrine, must be expressed through actions that reflect God’s commandments and the teachings of Christ. This aligns with the Catholic understanding of salvation, which involves both faith and works.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1821) teaches that faith must be lived out through acts of charity and obedience to God’s commandments. Faith without works, as stated in James 2:14-26, is dead. The “will of my Father” is central to Christian life, encompassing the pursuit of holiness, obedience, and active participation in the sacraments. The sacraments are seen as visible signs instituted by Christ to give grace (CCC 1131), empowering believers to live out God’s will.
Reflection
This teaching invites Christians to examine the authenticity of their faith. It is not enough to merely acknowledge Jesus with words; one’s life must reflect this faith through actions that align with God’s will. This challenges believers to move beyond superficial expressions of faith and commit to a deeper, more authentic relationship with God, marked by obedience, love, and a commitment to live according to His commandments.
As Catholics, we are called to actively live out our faith by participating in the sacraments, engaging in works of mercy, and striving to align our will with God’s. The passage is a reminder to ensure that our faith is not just professed but lived out in our daily lives, reflecting the transformative power of genuine discipleship.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, grant us the grace to live authentically as Your disciples. Help us to not only call upon Your name but also to embody Your love and mercy in our actions. May we always seek to do Your will, guided by the teachings of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Strengthen our faith and inspire us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with You. Amen.
Matthew 7:22 “On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’”
This verse occurs within the context of Jesus’ teachings on false prophets and true discipleship. Jesus emphasizes that not everyone who calls Him “Lord” or performs extraordinary spiritual acts in His name will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The individuals described in this passage claim to have prophesied, exorcised demons, and performed miracles – all in the name of Jesus. Despite these outwardly impressive actions, Jesus declares in the following verse, “I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers” (Mt 7:23).
The core message here is that external religious actions, even those that appear as significant spiritual achievements, are not sufficient for salvation. What truly matters is an authentic relationship with Christ and the alignment of one’s heart with God’s will. Jesus underscores that doing the will of the Father is paramount to entering the Kingdom of Heaven (Mt 7:21). This involves living out the Gospel through love, humility, and obedience to God’s commandments.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1821, 1829) reinforces this by teaching that faith must be accompanied by works of love. True charity demands selflessness, generosity, and a genuine commitment to the well-being of others, reflecting the love of God.
Biblical References:
– James 1:22: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
– 1 Corinthians 13:1-3: St. Paul emphasizes that without love, even the greatest spiritual gifts are meaningless.
– Isaiah 29:13: This passage highlights the danger of honoring God with lips while the heart is far from Him.
Reflection:
This passage challenges us to examine our own faith and actions. Are we merely going through religious motions, or do we have a genuine relationship with Christ? Are our actions driven by a desire to glorify God, or are they tainted by the need for recognition and self-importance? Jesus’ words remind us that true discipleship involves not just performing great works in His name but doing His will in humility and love. We are called to cultivate a deep, sincere relationship with God, ensuring that our actions stem from a genuine love for Him and our neighbors.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help us to serve You with a sincere heart. Grant us the grace to live our faith authentically, not seeking our own glory but striving to do Your will in all things. May our actions reflect a genuine love for You and for our neighbors. Keep us humble and focused on Your will, so that on the Day of Judgment, we may hear Your voice welcoming us into Your eternal Kingdom. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Matthew 7:23 “And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.'”
Context and Meaning:
Matthew 7:23 is part of Jesus’ concluding remarks in the Sermon on the Mount, where He emphasizes the dangers of false prophets and the necessity of living out one’s faith with true righteousness. This verse specifically addresses those who outwardly appear religious but do not live according to God’s will. Despite their claims to know Jesus and their outward displays of religious activities, they are ultimately rejected because their hearts and actions are not aligned with God’s commandments.
At the second coming of Christ, these “false” prophets, healers, and miracle workers will claim intimacy with Jesus. However, Jesus will deny them, saying, “I never knew you,” because they were not working for Him but for their self-glory. The phrase “Depart from me” is a solemn declaration that reflects their separation from God. Matthew 25:41 also uses this phrase for those whom the angels will gather at the left side of the Lord at the last judgment. The selected but unfaithful servants of the Lord will receive the same punishment as those who failed to help the less fortunate in society.
Jesus even refers to these false prophets as “evildoers” because their intentions were selfish, and they were leading people in the wrong direction. The knowledge Jesus speaks of here is not merely intellectual but a deep, personal, and transformative relationship that bears the fruit of righteousness.
Biblical References:
1. James 1:22: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” This verse underscores the necessity of not just hearing the word of God but living it out in our daily lives, much like Jesus’ warning in Matthew 7:23.
2. John 10:14: “I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me.” This passage contrasts with Matthew 7:23 by showing that true followers of Christ are known by Him because they live in a genuine relationship with Him, following His teachings.
3. 1 John 3:6: “No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him.” This verse supports the idea that to know Christ is to live in accordance with His will, and habitual sin separates us from that knowledge.
Catholic Teachings:
In Catholic teaching, this passage emphasizes the importance of both faith and works for salvation. It is not enough to simply profess belief in Christ or even to perform mighty deeds in His name; we must also live according to God’s will and commandments. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “The Lord warns us that we shall be separated from him if we fail to meet the serious needs of the poor and the little ones who are his brethren” (CCC 1033). This aligns with Jesus’ words that only those who do the Father’s will shall enter heaven.
The Church teaches that our salvation is a process involving both faith and good works. The grace of God enables us to live out the teachings of Christ and to bear good fruit in our lives. The Sacraments, particularly the Eucharist and Reconciliation, are vital means through which we receive this grace and maintain our relationship with God. Additionally, the Church warns against presumption, where one assumes salvation without a true conversion of heart and obedience to God’s will (CCC 2092). Authentic discipleship requires humility, repentance, and a sincere effort to follow Christ’s commandments in both word and deed.
Reflection:
As Christians, we are called to examine our hearts and actions. Matthew 7:23 serves as a sobering reminder that our faith must be genuine and lived out in our actions. It calls us to ensure that our relationship with Christ is not superficial. Are we merely professing faith with our lips, or are we embodying it in our daily choices? Jesus desires a deep and personal relationship with each of us, one that transforms our lives and aligns our hearts with His will. Let us strive to live authentically as His disciples, producing the fruits of the Spirit in all that we do.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You have called us to follow You with sincere hearts and to live out our faith through our actions. Help us to avoid the trap of empty religiosity and to seek a true relationship with You. Give us the grace to live according to Your commandments, bearing good fruit in our lives. Strengthen our resolve to follow You more closely each day, so that when we stand before You, we may hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
CONCLUSION
In reflecting on Matthew 7:21-23, we are confronted with the stark reality that mere verbal profession or even outwardly impressive acts done in Jesus’ name are not sufficient for entry into the Kingdom of Heaven. True discipleship demands more than just words or works; it requires a deep, sincere commitment to doing the will of the Father. Jesus’ warning in this passage challenges us to examine the authenticity of our faith and the alignment of our actions with God’s commands. As Catholics, we are called to live out our faith through genuine acts of love, obedience, and participation in the sacraments, ensuring that our relationship with Christ is not just professed but lived.
This passage serves as a reminder that our faith must be grounded in a personal and transformative relationship with Jesus, one that is evident in our daily lives. It is not enough to appear religious or to perform acts of service; our hearts must be fully aligned with God’s will. As we strive to follow Christ more faithfully, let us focus on cultivating a faith that is both deep and genuine, marked by humility, love, and obedience to God’s commandments. By doing so, we prepare ourselves not only for the challenges of this life but also for the eternal life that awaits us in God’s Kingdom.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble hearts, seeking to do Your will in all things. Help us to move beyond mere words and to live our faith authentically, reflecting Your love in our actions. Grant us the grace to align our hearts with Your will and to walk in the path of true discipleship. May we always seek to glorify You in both our words and deeds, and on the Day of Judgment, may we be found worthy to enter into Your eternal Kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.