Repentance and the Will of God in Matthew 7:21
Repentance and the Will of God in Matthew 7:21
Matthew 7:21 states, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" (ESV) [1]. This verse is part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, where he teaches about the characteristics of those who will enter the kingdom of heaven.
The verse emphasizes the importance of doing the will of God, rather than just professing faith or using religious language. The phrase "the will of my Father" is crucial, as it highlights the necessity of aligning one's actions with God's desires. In the context of Matthew's Gospel, doing God's will involves repentance, faith, and obedience to Jesus' teachings [8].
The concept of repentance is closely tied to the idea of doing God's will. Repentance involves a change of mind and heart, turning away from sin and towards God. In the New Testament, repentance is often associated with faith in Jesus Christ and is seen as a necessary step in following him [4, 7]. As Jesus began his ministry by preaching "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 3:2), repentance is a fundamental aspect of his message [1].
The will of God is a recurring theme in the New Testament. In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus often refers to doing the will of his Father, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's desires. This theme is also present in other parts of the New Testament, such as in Romans 7:21, where Paul writes about the struggle to do good and the presence of evil [2].
Interpreters have understood Matthew 7:21 in various ways. Some see it as a warning against nominal Christianity, emphasizing the need for genuine faith and obedience. Others interpret it as a call to discipleship, highlighting the importance of following Jesus and doing God's will [9, 10].
The verse has been influential in Christian tradition, shaping understandings of faith, repentance, and obedience. It has been cited in various theological discussions, including debates about the nature of salvation and the role of good works in the Christian life [3].
In the context of the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 7:21 serves as a conclusion to Jesus' teachings on the characteristics of his followers. The verse emphasizes the need for a genuine commitment to following Jesus, rather than just making a superficial profession of faith. As such, it remains a crucial text for understanding the nature of Christian discipleship and the importance of aligning one's life with God's will.
The cross-references provided in various sources highlight the connections between Matthew 7:21 and other biblical passages that discuss the themes of repentance, faith, and obedience [3, 5, 6]. These connections underscore the importance of understanding this verse within the broader context of biblical teaching.
Sources
- Matthew ““Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” -- Matthew 3:2”
- Romans “I find then the law, that, to me, while I desire to do good, evil is present. -- Romans 7:21”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Matthew 7:21 cross-references: Isaiah 48:1, Hosea 8:2, Matthew 10:32, Matthew 12:50, Matthew 16:17, Matthew 18:3, Matthew 18:10, Matthew 18:19, Matthew 18:35, Matthew 19:24, Matthew 21:29, Matthew 25:11, Matthew 25:21, Matthew 26:39, Matthew 26:42, Mark 3:35, Mark 9:47, Mark 10:23, Luke 6:46, Luke 11:28, Luke 13:25, Luke 18:25, John 3:5, John 5:17, John 6:40, John 7:17, John 10:29, John 14:7, John 15:23, Acts 14:22, Acts 19:13, Romans 2:13, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 6:6, Colossians 4:12, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Titus 1:16, Hebrews 4:6, Hebrews 13:21, James 1:22, James 2:20, 1 P”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Repentance — There are three Greek words used in the New Testament to denote repentance. (1.) The verb metamelomai is used of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word is used with reference to the repentance of Judas (Matt. 27:3). (2.) Metanoeo, meaning to change one's mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge. This verb, with (3) the cognate noun metanoia, is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised. Evangelical”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Matthew 25:31 cross-references: Psalms 9:7, Daniel 7:13, Zechariah 14:5, Matthew 16:27, Matthew 19:28, Matthew 25:6, Matthew 26:64, Mark 8:38, Mark 14:62, Luke 9:26, Luke 22:69, John 1:51, John 5:27, Acts 1:11, 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 2 Thessalonians 1:7, Hebrews 1:8, Jude 1:14, Revelation 1:7, Revelation 3:21, Revelation 20:11”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Matthew 1:21 cross-references: Genesis 17:19, Genesis 17:21, Genesis 18:10, Judges 13:3, 2 Kings 4:16, Psalms 130:7, Isaiah 12:1, Isaiah 45:21, Jeremiah 23:6, Jeremiah 33:16, Ezekiel 36:25, Daniel 9:24, Zechariah 9:9, Luke 1:13, Luke 1:31, Luke 1:35, Luke 2:11, Luke 2:21, John 1:29, Acts 3:26, Acts 4:12, Acts 5:31, Acts 13:23, Acts 13:38, Ephesians 5:25, Colossians 1:20, Titus 2:14, Hebrews 7:25, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:1, 1 John 3:5, Revelation 1:5, Revelation 7:14”
- Acts (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Acts 20:21: Testifying both to Jews and . . . Greeks--laboring under a common malady, and recoverable only by a common treatment. repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ--(See on Act 5:31). REPENTANCE, as distinguished from faith, is that state of the "honest and good heart" which arises from a discovery of one's contrariety to the righteous demands of the divine law. This is said to be "toward God," because seeing Him to be the party dishonored by sin, it feels all its acknowledgments and compunctions to be properly due to Him, as the great”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 3:35: 3:35 Doing God’s will includes repentance from sin, faith in God, and following Jesus (1:15, 18, 20).”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 18:22: 18:22 seventy times seven: Or seventy-seven times; either way, Jesus prescribes limitless readiness to forgive from the heart (18:35; cp. Gen 4:23-24).”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 5:42: 5:42 See Deut 15:7-11.”