Am I A True Disciple?

Do we not assume we are true disciples of the Lord Jesus?

But wait.
What does the passage below mean?

Mt 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Mt 7:22 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 perform many miracles?’

Mt 7:23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Here are some observations:

1. Some Who Profess Jesus As "Lord" Will Not Enter The Kingdom Of Heaven!

Why?
People who profess Jesus as Lord are not necessarily true disciples (an example in Point 2 below).
God expects something more.
Not just an outward profession but an inward change of heart.

Jesus has this to say of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law.
Remember the Pharisees were very fervent in believing in God so much so that they had devised many rules to try to obey God's laws.
But Jesus said to them:

Mt 15:7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:

Mt 15:8 “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

Second Observation

2. Performing Miracles In Jesus' Name - like prophesying, healing, preaching, performing deliverances - And Doing What Normal Christians Do (like attending Sunday Service and prayer meetings) Doesn't Save Us Nor Make Us True Disciples.

Doing all the above does not make us a true disciple of our Lord Jesus.
Why?

Whilst I was in Singapore, a good volunteer pastor friend of mine reminded me about Jesus who had 12 disciples.

Did they not all go out two by two and were given authority over evil spirits? (Mk 6:7)
Did they not go about driving out evil spirits and healing every disease and sickness? (Mt 10:1)

Was Judas not doing all these miraculous works?
Was Judas a true disciple?

Judas betrayed Jesus (Mt 10:4) and Luke was even more blunt and described Judas as a traitor (Lk 6:16).
A traitor is the direct opposite of a disciple.

Yet Judas - two by two with the other disciples - preached, healed and delivered people in Jesus' name.

If someone who professes Jesus as Lord and someone who even does miraculous works in Jesus' name, doing good to people, cannot be saved, then who can be saved?
Who are true disciples?

A side note is - Can Judas or any of us blame Jesus for failing to disciple Judas better?
Surely not because Jesus is God and the perfect teacher.
It reminds us to take responsibility for our own spiritual journey and discipleship.
No doubt our pastors and teachers are not perfect.
But even given a perfect teacher, some of us may not be true disciples.

3. Then Who Is A True Disciple?
Who Can Enter The Kingdom Of Heaven?

The English Dictionaries define "disciple" as a pupil, a learner, a follower, a believer of a teacher and one who propagates the teacher's teachings.
But we learn from above that being a pupil, a learner or a follower of Jesus or even one who propagates Jesus' teachings - like Judas - is not a true disciple.

How does the Bible define disciples?
John 8:31 defines "disciple" for us.
John 8:31 Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples."

A true disciple not only does all of the above but must be one who "holds to", adheres to, abides by, obeys Jesus' teachings.
This definition ties in with today's passage.

Read the Mt 7:21 passage again and observe who can enter the kingdom of heaven.

Mt 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but
... only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

(I added the dots for emphasis)

Only those who do the will of God will be saved and are true disciples.

4. Conclusion: Do The Will Of God If We Want To Be A True Disciple and Be Saved!

God wants us to honor Him not just with our Lips - but with our Life.
I will hang on to my thoughts and let all to reflect on the above.

REFLECT:
1. How do I know God's Will?
2. How do I know God's Will for my life?
3. Am I doing God's will?
Am I adhering to His Word, holding to His Word, obeying His Word?
4. How does holding to His Word (Jn 8:31) has resulted in the Truth in our lives and the Truth has set us free (Jn 8:32)?
5. What would be the result of us doing His will?
Would our family and friends notice the "fruit?"
6. What are the thoughts that precede and follow after the above passage? (Mt 7:15-20, 24-27; Mt 5-7)
7. How am I honoring God with my life?