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. Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?” Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”
Matthew 7:21-23
Following Yeshua’s teaching on the false teachers, Yeshua continues the powerful message about the essence of true spiritual practice and the pitfalls of superficial religiosity. Many profess correct theology, calling Yeshua Lord. This title, especially when used for Yeshua, is a mark of respect and signifies deity. These individuals are ostensibly submitted to the Lordship of Yeshua, as evidenced by their enthusiastic proclamation (“Lord, Lord”). They appear to be aligned in their understanding of who Christ is and seem fully committed to ethical and moral conduct. They are actively involved in commendable “good works;” they preach, teach, prophesy, perform exorcisms, and exhibit supernatural signs.
Moreover, they are not a mere handful but are “many” in number, highlighting that this form of religious self-deception is not a rare phenomenon but rather widespread—the “wide road.” Consider the irony: Many evangelists boast about the miracles they have performed in Yeshua’s name, and many pastors and theologians take pride in prophesying-teaching in Yeshua’s name (Matthew 7:22), yet Yeshua disapproves of their ministry.
However, Yeshua points out that they are evildoers who practice lawlessness. This assertion may seem confusing as there is no overt indication of behavior contrary to the Mosaic Law or blatant immorality among them. To understand evildoers or lawlessness in this context, we must contrast it with doing “the will of the Father” (verse 21). Remember, Yeshua had just spent a considerable amount of time teaching the principles of the Kingdom, such as loving kindness and forgiveness. These teachings encapsulate “doing the will of the Father,” which, crucially, they did not practice and, therefore, would not “enter” into “the kingdom.”
To Enter a Kingdom
Gates, roads, and now kingdoms. In Yeshua’s time, societal divisions were stark. The wealthy often resided within the safety and prosperity of kingdom walls, while those outside lived in relative poverty and vulnerability. Metaphorically speaking, real estate within the walls is always highly sought after. This societal setup is an analogy for the spiritual kingdom, suggesting that, spiritually and metaphorically speaking, some might end up in conditions akin to those less fortunate living outside the kingdom walls, essentially losing their privileged status, struggling, and perhaps in shame.
Entering the kingdom, therefore, symbolically signifies gaining a status of respect and honor for being close to God. Yet, not every Christian will automatically receive a privileged position in this kingdom; only those Yeshua said he knows. In Judaism, to “know” someone means to have a close, intimate relationship with and support what they stand for. Being an admired pastor and teacher with millions of followers on social media, leading a Bible College or renowned evangelistic ministry, or pastoring a church doesn’t guarantee that Yeshua “acknowledges” you or, in other words, approves of your ministry. Simply declaring past devotions or statistical achievements in Christian ministry does not guarantee special acknowledgment from Yeshua.
Paul further emphasizes this in 1 Corinthians 13:2-3, where he states that possessing all the right knowledge, having great spiritual gifts, or making significant sacrifices, if devoid of love, amounts to nothing:
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:2-3
These passages underscore the critical aspect of spiritual life: It’s not about performance but about the necessity of transforming one’s heart in alignment with the will of God and its growing capacity for love. Performing religious acts or verbally proclaiming Yeshua’s name isn’t sufficient to earn respect and honor in the kingdom. This is not about salvation but about the rewards and roles awaiting those who do God’s will.
Yeshua highlights that mere devotion proclamation or engaging in spiritual feats doesn’t guarantee a true, deep connection with God. The key lies in complete dedication to God’s will, embodied in loving-kindness. If one excels in evangelism or leads an impressive ministry but lacks love in personal life, it counts for little to nothing in God’s kingdom.
If it’s true that “many” had it wrong, then it is very likely you’ll find churches, ministries, seminaries, theologians, and pastors in that group as well. We can view this as a word of caution against relying solely on external institutions like churches, ministries, seminaries, or individuals for spiritual growth. While these can aid our journey, they shouldn’t replace our personal journey of seeking to understand God’s will.
This message also extends to personal relationships and religious affiliations. Yeshua urges us not to let familial, religious, or social ties hinder our spiritual progress. Becoming complacent in a new setting after breaking away from religious structures simply repeats the same error. The true test of spiritual truth, as taught by Yeshua, lies in its practical efficacy – does it bear good fruit? Does it bless others in real life?
While salvation is a free gift, entering God’s kingdom and residing close to God is a reward we must first earn by “doing the will of my Father who is in heaven.” This entails peacemaking, reconciliation, being poor in spirit, purity of heart, meekness, mercy, thirst for justice, love for enemies, eschewing worry, and more.
You Must Be Born Again
No one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.
John 3:3
You can’t enter the Kingdom unless you see it. And you can’t see it unless you are born again. In this view, being “born again” is less about recognizing our sinful nature, a concept even non-Christian religions and the average person acknowledge. “To be born again” also couldn’t refer to accepting Yeshua’s death for one’s sins when the phrase was first used, as Yeshua had not yet died, and his death was not anticipated then, indicating the phrase must have a different original meaning. In other words, claiming that “to be born again” refers to accepting Yeshua’s death for one’s sins would be an anachronism fallacy, as it applies a concept or event (Jesus’ death and its theological implication) to a time before it actually occurred or was understood in that way.
Rather, being born again is about understanding God’s love and adopting His DNA by aligning our hearts with the kingdom’s values and demonstrating His love to the world. To be born again from the Spirit entails loving all, sinners included, not in the often superficial way seen in religious contexts but in the profound, unconditional, and sacrificial manner exemplified time and again by Yeshua in the gospels. This is not my own conclusion but that of Yeshua’s disciples:
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4:7-11
Yeshua’s teaching is a call to authentic spiritual living, reminding us that the path to true spiritual enlightenment is not found in outward displays of piety or legalism. Yeshua spoke these words to religious Jews, not secular ones, encouraging them to be “born again” – not into another religious denomination, but into a deeply personal, transformative journey of aligning their lives fully with the will of God. This journey demands continual self-examination, a willingness to grow, and an unwavering commitment to living the truths of the spiritual path.
Rabbi Yeshua’s message about being born again is an invitation to introspect and realign our spiritual practices with the essence of God’s will, focusing on inner transformation rather than external religiosity. It is about embracing a new understanding of who God is that transcends mere ritualistic observance and moves towards a heartfelt commitment to the values of the kingdom. This transformation is not a superficial change but a profound metamorphosis of one’s entire being – a rebirth in the truest sense.
Nicodemus, to whom Yeshua said he must be born again, was a Jewish religious leader. This rebirth, as Yeshua teaches, is about shedding the old layers of religious formalism and embracing a new life disconnected from religion and marked by a deep, personal connection with God. It involves cultivating a heart that mirrors God’s attributes, such as love, mercy, compassion, justice, and humility. This journey requires one to not only listen to Christ’s teachings but also internalize them and let them permeate every aspect of life.
Yeshua’s teachings challenge us to look beyond the facade of our actions and delve into the motives and intentions that drive them. They call us to assess whether our spiritual practices are merely for show, fear-based, self-gain, or if they stem from a place of genuine love. The emphasis is on a faith that is lived out in our daily interactions, how we treat others, and in our pursuit of justice and righteousness.
Moreover, Yeshua’s message is revolutionary in its universal inclusivity. It breaks down barriers of nationality, status, and religious background, inviting everyone to participate in this transformative journey from individuals to societies. The kingdom of God, as he describes, is not an exclusive club for the religious elite but an open invitation to all who are willing to embrace the Way of love and peace.
In a world where religion is often used to justify division, hate, and violence, Yeshua’s teachings stand out as a beacon of hope, calling for a “religion” that heals, unites, and uplifts. The most elementary part of God’s religion is not to embrace a perfect theology. Instead, the “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.” (James 1:27). It’s a call to embody the principles of the Kingdom of God in our lives – to be the light in the darkness, yes, but also the salt that adds flavor and preserves goodness in the world.
To conclude, Rabbi Yeshua’s teachings are not just ancient wisdom; they are timeless truths that continue to challenge, inspire, and guide us in our spiritual journeys. They compel us to reevaluate our understanding of religion, urging us to move away from a superficial, performative, work-based religion towards a profound, transformative spiritual experience. His call to align our hearts with God’s will remains as relevant today as it was two millennia ago, offering a pathway to a life of true fulfillment, peace, and spiritual depth.
Enjoyed? This was a copy-paste from my new book,
“The Kingdom of Yeshua: Christ’s Timeless Wisdom to Revive Your Spiritual Life“
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