Why Did Jesus Say: “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”?

What is the will of the Heavenly Father?

Are you truly known by Jesus, or are you taking His holy name in vain? Are you doing the will of the Heavenly Father, or is your worship in vain? To take His name in vain is not just to curse, it is to use His name without reverence, without obedience, without truth. If we call Him “Lord” but live in disobedience, our faith is in vain. If we preach, pray, or prophesy but do not walk in holiness, our works are in vain. Jesus warned that many will say “Lord, Lord” in vain because He never knew them.

“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain.” 
_ Deuteronomy 5:11

Jesus said in 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!’”

This is a powerful warning. Jesus clearly shows that not all religious acts are accepted by God, even if they are done in His name. Let’s break it down:

1. Those Who Prophesy

“Did we not prophesy in your name?”

These people appear to be believers or prophets who claim to speak by the Spirit. Yet Jesus rejects them. Why?

Because they relied on their gifts rather than their relationship with God. They assumed their ministry was proof of their righteousness, but God does not judge by outward acts alone. He looks at the heart and obedience.

Their prophecy may not have aligned with God’s truth. They may have used God’s name, but not for His purposes. This shows that not every spiritual gift is being used in obedience to God’s will.

2. Those Who Cast Out Demons

“In your name, drive out demons…”

Even casting out demons is not enough if it is not accompanied by obedience to God’s will. Why would Jesus reject such people?

Because even powerful acts can be done for personal fame, pride, or false motives. They may use the name of Jesus like a tool, but their hearts are far from Him.

3. Those Who Perform Miracles

“In your name, perform many miracles…”

Miracles impress people, but they do not always prove someone’s connection to God. Jesus calls such miracle workers “evildoers” if they do not live in obedience.

Why? Because miracles without love, truth, and obedience to God’s commandments are empty. Miracles can be imitated, even by false prophets.

So, What Is the Will of the Father?

The will of the Father is not just spiritual performance, it is obedience, holiness, and truth. It is living according to His Word and His commandments.

• The will of the Father is revealed in the Torah, the foundation of God’s commandments.
• The will of the Father is to honor His holy name, never using it for deception or selfish purposes.
• The will of the Father is fulfilled in Jesus, who came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17).
• The will of the Father is not to confine the gospel to the church building, but to go into all the worldto reach the lost, the deceived, and those trapped by false religions.
• The will of the Father is to set people free from lies, not just entertain believers who already know the truth.

The tragedy of today’s church is that some preach only to the saved, seek fame, and ignore the billions still lost in darkness. They perform signs, but fail to live out God’s heart for the world.

THE WILL OF THE FATHER IS HIS WORD.
THE WILL OF THE FATHER IS JESUS—WHO FULFILLED THE TORAH.
THE WILL OF THE FATHER IS TO REACH THE WORLD, NOT JUST THE CHURCH.
THE WILL OF THE FATHER IS TO SET PEOPLE FREE FROM DECEPTION.

The will of the Father is that we reach the world, not just preach to those who come to our churches and buildings to give tithes and offerings. Let’s reach to the unreached. THE BILLIONS DO NOT KNOW THE GOSPEL.

You cannot live in dirt and expect to clean others, you must first cleanse yourself before trying to cleanse others. You cannot tell others to honor God while you mock His holy name and dishonor His Word. You cannot tell others not to lie while making false oaths in His holy name. You can not tell others to obey God, while eating pig and unclean.

If God needed the famous, He would have chosen Nimrod, not Noah, who was mocked by the people. If God wanted a rich and powerful man, He would have chosen Pharaoh, not Moses, who left the palace to follow God. God chooses Noah, who was mocked by people. God chooses Moses, who left his royal life. God chooses the faithful and obedient like David, not the arrogant like Saul or Goliath, who mocked His holy name. So who are you? Does Jesus know you? If Jesus knows you, then you are His good and faithful servant. Your mission is to reach the unreached, not just preach to the already convinced. Don’t confine your voice to church walls—go out and deliver those trapped in the cage of lies and deception. The will of God is not loud words among believers, but bold action among the lost.

Let us not just say “Lord, Lord” but live in obedience, humility, and love, honoring the HOLY NAME, carrying the truth of God’s Word to all nations.

“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain.”
— Exodus 20:7