What Jesus Did! 'Away from Me!' — Matthew 7:21-23

Saturday, March 29, 2025

[Jesus continued:] "Not everyone who calls out to me, 'Lord! Lord!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, 'Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.' But I will reply, 'I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God's laws.'"
— Matthew 7:21-23 NLT

Key Thought

While "you can fool all of the people some of the time and some of the people all the time," you can never fool the Lord at any time! False teachers may deceive other people, but never the Lord. Substituting proclamations of faith for a life of faith won't cut it. Substituting mighty acts in Jesus' name for living a life of righteousness won't cut it either. Deception, sham, falsehood, manipulation, and hype are works of the evil one and will be handled as such by the conquering Savior. So let's be among"those who actually do the will of [the] Father in heaven."

Today's Prayer

Holy Lord, I want to follow you: not just in talk, but also in deed. Almighty Lord, I want to reflect your character: not just in Bible study, but also in daily lifestyle. I want to know you by knowing your character, service, and righteousness through living them in my life. In the name of your holy Son, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

24 Related Resources by Heartlight

Sandra Reaches for the Wrong Thing
Article by Russ Lawson
What are you reaching for? We show we are Jesus' disciples by what we do, but so often what we reach for is the wrong thing.
The Foolish Man's House Went...
Article by Phil Ware
How can we avoid the foolish man's crash? Phil Ware reminds us of the harsh truth about knowing more than we put into practice, we are certainly called to be much more than a biblical thumb drive.
That's Not the Way that Momma Did It
Article by Russ Lawson
Why not listen to the old story and look for something fresh and new? Sometimes we trust too much in what we've learned in the past and things we have learned from our parents rather than seeking the truth ourselves and then living it.
Heaven's Window
Article by Phil Ware
Doesn't discipleship involve more than just saying the right words? Phil Ware shares his second post in his four article series on Peter's confession, focusing this time on our tendency to reduce faith to words and not actions and discipleship.
See All 24 Related Resources about Matthew 7:21-23

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 7:21-23 NLT — Get away from me, you who break God's laws.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, March 29, 2025

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Colossians 3:24
"To what choice order of officials was this word spoken? To kings who proudly boast a right divine? Ah, no! too often do they serve themselves or..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'He Heard My Cry for Mercy!' (Ps. 116:1)
"I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Michelle Jones:
"The Gospel is a universal language that crosses the barriers of time to impact the lives of ordinary people."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Bound for Rome' (Acts 26:32)
"[After Paul's defense and explanation of his innocence and ministry,] Agrippa said to Festus, "He could have been set free if he hadn't appealed to....."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!