As Jesus approached the conclusion of what we commonly call the sermon on the mount, He clearly distinguished those who will go to heaven from those who will not. Hear the Lord,

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.

If we desire the hope of heaven, it requires of us more than merely calling upon the name of the Lord. Jesus said in Luke 6:46, "Why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord' and do not do the things which I say?" The word "Lord" means master; it refers to one who is in control and demands obedience.

In a religious climate where so many believe we need not do anything, but rather rely 100% on the "finished work of Christ", we need to take special note of Jesus' words, and share them with them our religious friends. He says we must DO something - we must DO the will of the Father in heaven.

In verse 22, Jesus pictures a judgment scene where many will receive a great surprise. Some will claim, "...have we not done this and that in Your name..." Their claim to glory was their fanciful works, but they had neglected to actually do that which the Lord commanded. He didn't command the casting out of demons or miraculous works -- He commanded that we obey the Father's word.

Of those who do their own works, and not the works required by the Father, Jesus says, "I never knew you..." Though they make a claim to know Him, He did not know them, for they did not submit to the will of God. In fact, He speaks of them as workers of lawlessness. They were without Law. They refused to submit to the Father's will and chose to walk according to their own will.

Jesus concludes His discourse with a contrast of the wise man and the foolish man. The wise man is he who hears the sayings of the Lord Jesus, and does them. The foolish man is he who hears the saying of the Lord, and does not do them. Friend, will you be wise or foolish? Will you be obedient or disobedient? Will you go to heaven or hell?