More Than Words

“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.” 
Matthew 7:21 (NIV) 

I once shared the gospel with a gentleman for three hours. Then he finally declared he wanted to be born again and prayed the words of Romans 10:9, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”  

 Afterward, I asked him if he meant what he prayed. To my amazement, he said, “No.”  

 I’ve never had anyone honestly admit that they didn't mean it. When I asked him to explain, he said, “I believe in my heart that God raised him from the dead, but I don’t believe he is Lord.” “You just called him ‘Lord’ in your prayer,” I responded. “Yes,” he said, “but I cannot believe that he's God.” 

 Despite praying the words from Romans 10:9, this man did not believe them.  

 In today’s verse, Jesus gives you a strong caution: saying the right words doesn’t mean you understand or believe them.  

Jesus’ sermon in this passage is directed not to unbelievers, but to believers. He speaks to those of us who attend church and call ourselves Christians.  

He warns that it’s possible to say to Him, “Lord, Lord” and never enter the kingdom of heaven. In other words, saying Jesus is “Lord” is not the same as living your life in a way that reflects His leadership and influence.  

These mark some of the most sobering words Jesus ever speaks. He asks you to pause and examine yourself. In what areas of your life do you call Jesus, ‘Lord’ but do not submit to Him?  

Let Jesus’ warning lead you to pray. Come to Him and welcome His lordship in your financial decisions, career moves, and daily schedule.  

The goal is not perfection but progress in relationship–to lovingly bring more areas under Jesus’ lordship.  

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I praise You for Word and the guidance You give. Thank You for loving me enough to caution me, and providing wisdom that leads me to submit myself to You. May every area of my life be recognizably under the Lordship of Jesus–for You are my Lord, and all I am is Yours. I praise You for it in Jesus’ Name, Amen.