“Lord, Lord”: When Words Are Not Enough (Matthew 7:21–24)

I read a post earlier today about preachers hating to talk about this passage in the Bible. Being the type of person I am, had to do some study and of course write about it.

One of the most sobering passages in all of Scripture is found at the end of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 7:21–24, the Lord warns us that spiritual words and impressive works are not the same as truly knowing Him.

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;
but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
(Matthew 7:21, KJV)

1. Saying “Lord, Lord” without obeying

Jesus does not deny that these people are religious.
They call Him “Lord” and even repeat it, as if with earnestness and zeal: “Lord, Lord.” Yet He says plainly that not everyone who uses His name will enter the kingdom.

The dividing line is this:
“but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”

This is not teaching salvation by works. Scripture is clear that we are saved by grace through faith:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
(Ephesians 2:8–9, KJV)

But the very next verse shows that true salvation produces a changed life:

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,
which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
(Ephesians 2:10, KJV)

In other words, a faith that never leads to obedience is not the saving faith the Bible describes.

2. A frightening surprise on judgment day

Jesus goes even further:

“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?
and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
(Matthew 7:22–23, KJV)

Notice a few important details:

• They appeal to their religious activities: “have we not prophesied…cast out devils…done many wonderful works?”
• They did these things “in thy name,” yet Jesus still rejects them.
• His verdict is not “I once knew you, but not anymore.” It is, “I never knew you.”

The issue is not a believer losing salvation. The issue is people who were never truly saved, even though they were outwardly busy in spiritual things. They “worked” iniquity while wearing a religious mask.

Their confidence is in what they did: “Have we not…?”
The gospel points us instead to what Christ did:

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you…
how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”
(1 Corinthians 15:1, 3–4, KJV)

On that final day, the only safe ground will be the finished work of Jesus Christ, received by faith, evidenced by a life that has been transformed.

3. Hearing vs. doing: the wise and foolish builders

Right after this warning, Jesus gives a picture we can all understand:

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them,
I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew,
and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not,
shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew,
and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”
(Matthew 7:24–27, KJV)

Both men hear the words of Jesus.
The difference is not in the knowledge they received, but in their response:

• The wise man hears and does. He builds on the rock.
• The foolish man hears and does not. He builds on sand.

The storms come to both lives. Trials, temptations, judgment—all will test the foundation. Only those who have truly received Christ and submit to His words will stand.

This matches the way James puts it:

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
(James 1:22, KJV)

Hearing without doing leads to self‑deception. You can sit under preaching, say “Amen,” know the verses, and still be building on sand if you never repent and obey.

4. Examining ourselves in light of Matthew 7

Matthew 7:21–24 is meant to make us examine our hearts, not just our habits.

A few questions this passage presses on us:

• Is Jesus truly my Lord, or only Lord on my lips?
• Am I trusting my church attendance, my service, or my “good works”—or am I trusting Christ alone?
• Has my faith in Christ led to repentance and a desire to obey His Word?

Scripture invites us to honest self‑examination:

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.”
(2 Corinthians 13:5, KJV)

We are not saved because we obey perfectly. We are saved because Christ obeyed perfectly, died for our sins, and rose again. But when we are truly saved, the Holy Spirit works in us so that our lives begin to change:

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:
old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
(2 Corinthians 5:17, KJV)

5. A simple appeal

If this passage troubles you, that is actually a mercy from God. The Lord is not trying to push away those who truly come to Him; He is warning those who are content with an empty profession.

The same Jesus who says, “I never knew you,” also says:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
(Matthew 11:28, KJV)

You do not have to live with a fake faith or a shaky foundation.
Come to Christ in repentance and faith. Trust His death and resurrection alone for your salvation. Then, as a saved person, build your life on His words—hearing and doing—so that when the storms come and when you stand before Him, your house will stand, because it is founded upon the Rock.

Discovering the Path of Salvation series by Stephen Luckett