Near the conclusion of Jesus’ address to the multitudes in His Sermon on the Mount, He declared, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). This is a passage that must be embedded in our minds. We should not live a day without pondering its meaning and significance to our lives and others around us.
The term “Lord” is translated from a word in the Koine Greek, kurios, which, according to Strong, is the title of one who is “supreme in authority, that is controller.” Thayer adds that the title is one “of honour expressive of respect and reverence, with which servants greet their master.”
Jesus came to this earth, in part, to bring the message of God’s will to all of humanity so we would not live and die in ignorance. In His prayer to the Father, Jesus said, “For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me…” (John 17:8). God no longer winks at ignorance, but commands all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30).
Saul of Tarsus asked the right question when he made the query of Jesus, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6). A man demonstrating great wisdom, Saul, did as the Lord told him to do. He went into the city of Damascus and waited for Ananias. Saul was ultimately forgiven of his past sins when he was washed in the blood of Christ upon obeying the voice of God’s messenger, Ananias (Acts 22:16).
Jesus does not want to hear an empty profession. Could Jesus ask you and me the same question He asked some of His day? “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say” (Luke 6:46)?
