What is the “Will” of the Father?
Introduction: The Serious Warning of Jesus
Matthew 7:21–23 warns that not everyone who calls Jesus “Lord” will enter the Kingdom, but only the one who does the will of the Father. Jesus distinguishes true obedience from impressive religious activity and exposes the danger of lawlessness.
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’
And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”
— Matthew 7:21–23 (NKJV)
Define “The Will of God” Biblically
Scripture shows God’s will is practical and moral, not merely intellectual agreement:
- Romans 12:2 — Transformation by renewing the mind to prove God’s will.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:3 — Sanctification and moral purity.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18 — Gratitude in all things.
- 1 Timothy 2:4 — All to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.
- 1 Peter 2:15 — Doing good silences the ignorant talk of foolish people.
- Hebrews 10:36 — Endurance in doing God’s will to receive the promise.
Summary: God’s will = holiness, gratitude, truth, endurance, and doing good — lived obedience.
Define “Lawlessness” in Matthew 7
Greek: anomia — “without law,” “violation of law.”
- 1 John 3:4 — “Sin is lawlessness.”
- Titus 1:16 — “They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him.”
Jesus rebukes those who use His name while disregarding the Father’s instructions.
Key Contrasts
| True Followers | False Followers |
|---|---|
| Know God and obey Him | Claim to know Him; reject His will |
| Practice righteousness & God’s commands | Practice lawlessness (ignore or replace God’s commands) |
| Transformed by Scripture | Religious activity, self-willed |
| Will enter the Kingdom | “I never knew you” — cast out |
Why This Matters Today
- Some teach God’s law is obsolete; Jesus says obedience matters.
- Miraculous works never substitute for doing the Father’s will.
- Obedience is not legalism; it is evidence of love (John 14:15).
- Jesus Himself did the Father’s will (John 5:30) — and calls us to do the same.
Call to Action
- Am I doing the will of God — or only claiming His name?
- Do I seek truth and transformation, or performance and approval?
- Will Jesus recognize me at His return?
Comparison: “Doing the Will of God” vs “Practicing Lawlessness”
| Category | Doing the Will of God | Practicing Lawlessness |
|---|---|---|
| Relationship to God | A genuine follower who obeys His will | Self-deceived; religious activity without obedience |
| Key Traits | Transformed mind (Rom 12:2), thankful (1 Thess 5:18), holy (1 Thess 4:3) | Outward works; inner neglect of God’s commands |
| Result at Judgment | Enters the Kingdom | “Depart from Me” |
| Jesus’ Verdict | “You did the will of My Father” | “I never knew you” — no intimate relationship |
| Obedience vs Activity | Obedience = evidence of love and knowledge of Him | Activity without obedience = lawlessness |
| Definition of Lawlessness | ἀνομία (anomia): without law / contempt for God’s law | |
Deeper Insight: What is “Lawlessness”?
The Greek word ἀνομία (anomia) means “without law” or “contempt for God’s law.” In 1 John 3:4 we read, “Sin is lawlessness.” Jesus is not condemning supernatural works; He condemns the absence of obedience to the Father’s revealed will.
Connecting Back to the “Will of God” Verses
These passages show that the Father’s will involves:
- Holiness (1 Thess 4:3)
- Gratitude (1 Thess 5:18)
- Transformation (Rom 12:2)
- Doing good (1 Pet 2:15)
- Knowing the truth (1 Tim 2:4)
- Endurance in obedience (Heb 10:36)
Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:21–23 confirm that these are not optional. One cannot replace obedience with outward acts.
Conclusion: True Obedience = Doing the Will of God
Jesus calls us to walk in the Father’s revealed will, not merely perform religious deeds:
- Obey God’s moral commands — not lawlessness.
- Live holy, grateful, transformed lives.
- Know Him personally — not just use His name.
Those who do the will of God enter the Kingdom.
Those who claim His name but reject His will are turned away.