Toward the very end of the Sermon on the Mount recorded in the Gospel of Matthew are some of the most terrifying words ever uttered or heard.  “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 in heaven. On that day many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in Your name, and do many miracles in Your name?’  Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!’” [7:21-23]

I have heard many sermons based on the Sermon on the Mount, given a few of them myself. I’ve studied and read commentators thoughts on what Jesus said. I’ve heard people worry about whether they might be included in the dire warning given here. (I have reminded people that if they are worried about their inclusion, they are probably not included.)

The foundation principle of Jesus’ warning is “…but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven.” If you do the will of the Father, you do not need to be warned. If you, however, do not do the will of the Father, you should stop and heed the warning.

And what is the will of the Father about which Jesus is talking?  “[The LORD is] not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” [2 Peter 3:9 NKJV]

It is not our ability to prophesy or drive out demons or perform miracles that matter, it is the condition of our hearts. It is the knowledge of our Lord and Savior and coming to Him in repentance, that will keep us from ever hearing the most terrifying words ever to be uttered … ‘I never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!’