Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (Matthew 7:21-23)

Not Everyone

Two words are found on the lips of Jesus that astound the world and change the reality for most people who make up the more than eight billion souls living today. Jesus did not come to bring a message of peace but of conflict. His words would be likened to those of a sword. The Prince of Peace came to set a man against his own household. God sent His Son to put a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. To be a follower of Christ will bring enemies into one’s own household. The war Jesus speaks about is when a man loves his father and mother more than Him. God has always demanded first place and will never take anything less. Refusing to take up a cross for Jesus Christ will disqualify one from eternal life.

At the conclusion of the mountain sermon, Jesus declared the division that would take place when the eyes of His Father looked into the hearts of all men. The world is filled with many people who are religious. There are many types of faiths that follow gods that are false and beliefs held on the shaky ground of human wisdom. Many believe Jesus is the Christ and follow a false belief in His will. The words of Jesus are startling to accept that not everyone who calls Him Lord will be saved. There will be many religious people who believe they are following Jesus who will never see eternal life. Salvation will only be given to those who do the will of the Father.

Jesus illustrates His point that not everyone will be saved when He refers to those who claim to have done wonderful things in His name. There are those who prophesied in His name who are lost. Some will suppose they cast out demons in the name of the Lord, but will be proven false prophets and teachers fooling the people. Many will declare the wonderful things they did in the name of the Lord, but never hear their names called from the Book of Life unto eternal salvation. Jesus shows that being religious and doing things in His name does not save. Only those who do the will of the Father can and will be saved. Not everyone is going to Heaven because most people are lost to perdition.

The greater tragedy is how unwilling God is to punish anyone. It is not the desire of the Heavenly Father for any of His creation to perish in the lake of fire and brimstone. He sent His Son into the world to open the way of salvation for all men to come and find peace in the eternal arms of the grace of a loving Father. The sadness is found that most people have no love for God and many follow false doctrines, man-made churches, deceptive teachers, and teachings that are not found in the word of God. Everyone is responsible for knowing and doing the will of the Father. Salvation does not come apart from keeping the commandments of the Lord. Because of His righteousness, God will punish the disobedient with eternal condemnation.

“Not everyone.” Incredible words to consider. Most people believe that most people R.I.P. when in fact most people do not because Jesus said they cannot. The commandments of the Lord are not burdensome. His grace gives man the eternal blessing of hope to be saved from a perverse world. Jesus died to offer mankind cleansing in His blood through obedience. Being a religious person will not save. Following false doctrines will not save. Being a good person will not save. Not everyone who says, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of Heaven. Those who do the will of the Father will be saved. Please do not be one of the “not everyone” – your eternal soul depends on it.