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

  • Matthew 15:7-9
  • Matthew 23:27-28
  • 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

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Sandra Reaches for the Wrong Thing
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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.

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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.

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