Matthew 7:21Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Why did the Redeemer refrain from stating, 'But fulfill my will'? The initial statement was sufficient for the audience to grasp, while the concluding thought transcended their spiritual frailty. However, the first notion encompasses the final one. Additionally, we must recognize that the will of the Son aligns perfectly with the will of the Father. It seems that the Redeemer primarily addresses the Jewish people, who concentrated on doctrines but neglected their spiritual lives. Consequently, Paul admonishes them, saying, 'Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest on the law, and boastest of God, and knowest the will' (Romans 2:17, 18). Yet, this knowledge holds no value if it is not reflected in their conduct.

The phrase “Not everyone who says to me, Lord! Lord!” indicates that Christ verifies His Lordship, for He refers to Himself as God. He instructs us that mere belief without corresponding actions holds no value. The expression “He that doeth the will” implies continuous action; He did not say “fulfilled once,” but rather “fulfilling” until the end of life. Moreover, He did not specify “my will” to avoid misleading His listeners, but instead referred to “my Father's will,” even though the Father and Son share the same will unless the Son chooses to betray it.

Even if one adheres to the Lord’s commands, if it is not aligned with God’s intentions or performed out of love for Him, their efforts will ultimately be fruitless. This aligns with the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, who stated, ‘Inasmuch as they do it to show themselves before men. Verily I say unto you, that they have already received their reward’ (Matt. 6:5). The Apostle Paul likewise emphasized, ‘And if I give away all my possessions and my body to be burned, and have no love, it is of no avail to me’ (1 Corinthians 13:3).

As mentioned earlier, those who outwardly display a virtuous life should not be embraced due to their flawed teachings. Conversely, it is emphasized that even individuals who demonstrate strong faith yet live in an unprincipled manner and compromise the integrity of doctrine through sinful actions have a faith that is ineffective. For God’s servants must ensure that their actions align with their words, and their words reflect their actions. This idea may appear to contradict the familiar statement of the apostle: No one can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. However, Scripture often interprets words through the lens of actions, thereby affirming that He rejects those who claim to have knowledge of the Lord without accompanying good works. They will hear from the Savior: I know you not whence ye are; depart from Me, all ye workers of unrighteousness. In this manner, the apostle also notes: They claim to know God, but their deeds deny Him.

Consider what is stated here. Believing in me alone does not guarantee access to heavenly blessings; one must also adhere to my teachings, as noted in Luke 6:46. Faith by itself cannot secure salvation without a life that reflects that faith; similarly, a virtuous life is insufficient without being enriched by faith. It is essential to integrate both aspects, rather than separating them. Acknowledging Him as Lord pertains solely to faith. He did not say, “But he who does My will,” because He wished to honor the Father and illustrate that the Father’s will aligns entirely with the Son’s will. The will of the Father is embodied in the commandments of the Son.

"Not everyone who calls Me 'Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven," declares the Lord, "but only those who perform the will of My Father" (Matt. 7:21). The desire of His Father is expressed in these words: "Let all who love the Lord hate wickedness" (Ps. 96:10). Therefore, as we approach Jesus Christ in prayer, let us reject evil thoughts, thereby fulfilling the divine will.

Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ addresses us, dear brothers and sisters. We, who are nurtured in the depths of His holy Orthodox Church, have been reborn into everlasting life through the sacrament of baptism. As infants, we learn to call upon Jesus Christ, saying "Lord, Lord," and invite the life-giving spirit of true faith into our hearts. We, who read and hear the sacred scriptures, understand the will of our heavenly Father and recognize that obedience to it opens the gates of the kingdom of heaven. Who, then, can bar our way when our King, the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself grants us entry into His kingdom? No one, my brethren; the only barrier lies within ourselves.

Merely engaging in prayer is not sufficient for salvation; it must be coupled with acting in accordance with God's will, which corresponds to each individual's position and lifestyle. The primary focus of prayer should be to ask God for the strength to remain steadfast in His divine purpose. Conversely, those who earnestly strive to fulfill God's will in all aspects find their prayers are bolder and more readily acknowledged at His throne. It often occurs that when one’s prayer is not supported by a commitment to God's will, such prayer becomes insincere and superficial, marked by empty repetition and distracted thoughts rather than being authentic and heartfelt. It is essential to align both prayer and action with devotion to God in order to bear spiritual fruit.

Our prayer, 'Lord, Lord!' is pure and valuable only when it ascends from a praying heart. God Himself has commanded that we should pray without ceasing, not merely with our lips, so that men can hear us, but enclosed in the chamber of our heart, where God hears and sees us.

Consider the words of the Lord directed towards individuals like you: not everyone who calls out to Me, ‘LORD! LORD!’—those who acknowledge Me verbally as their Lord and Master—will be granted entry into the Kingdom of Heaven. Rather, it is the one who fulfills the WILL (sacred commandments) of My Father in Heaven, consistently and in all matters, to the best of his ability and with the support of My grace. The Saviour did not state, "He who does My will," as such an expectation was initially too overwhelming for their frailty. Additionally, the will of the Son aligns perfectly with the will of the Father. Thus, mere faith, devoid of righteous deeds, cannot lead to a man's salvation.

Not everyone who calls out to Me: Lord, Lord, will gain entry into the Kingdom of Heaven. Both prayer and faith alone do not guarantee access to the Kingdom of God. One might prophesy, perform miracles through faith, or, as the Apostle points out, even speak in the tongues of angels and humans (1 Cor. 13:1-3). It is possible to sacrifice oneself as a martyr for the sake of Christ without embodying love, thus failing to fulfill the paramount commandment of love, remaining lawless and therefore excluded from the Kingdom of God. Jesus Christ indicates that He will turn away such individuals, declaring that He does not know them, meaning He does not recognize them as deserving of the Kingdom of God.

Not everyone who calls out to me, Lord, Lord, meaning those who acknowledge Me as their Sovereign and routinely declare it, will enter the kingdom of heaven, signifying that they will not share in the everlasting heavenly splendor of Christ’s reign.

Not everyone who expresses faith, etc. The Lord, with straightforwardness, proceeds directly from what He has previously communicated using the metaphor of a tree laden with fruit. When someone calls out to Me, “Lord! Lord!” it reflects a similar reverence demonstrated by the Jews when they referred to their leaders as Rabbi or Master, recognizing them as their educators and guides. The Church, in assigning this title to the Savior, indicates a recognition of His unique authority as Lord (cf. 1 Cor. 12:3; Phlp. 2:11). The phrase, “He that saith unto Me, ‘Lord! Lord!’” signifies the individual who acknowledges Me as his teacher and professes his faith in Me as his Lord. However, not all who claim this will enter the Kingdom of God—the Kingdom of Christ in heaven.