Matthew 7:21

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

“Not every person who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but [only] that person who does what my Father in heaven requires.

Cross References

Romans 2:13

For [it is] not those who hear the Law of Moses who are right with God, but [it is] those who obey [the requirements of] that law [perfectly] who will be considered right with God.

Luke 6:46

“And why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and [yet] not obey what I tell you to do?

James 1:22

But you should not deceive yourselves by just listening [to God’s word] instead of doing what the word teaches.

Luke 11:28

But Jesus said, “Yes, but those who listen to God’s message and obey it are [more] blessed.”

Titus 1:16

These people claim to know God [as Savior], but they deny Him by their actions, so they are detestable and disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

Hebrews 4:6

So, since it still remains for some people to enter into that rest, but those to whom the good news was previously proclaimed [See verse 2] failed to enter it because of disobedience [See 3:18]

John 6:40

And this is what [else] my Father wants: That every person who sees the Son [i.e., with the eye of faith] and believes in Him should have never ending life, and I will raise him up [from the dead] on the last day.”

Revelation 3:5

The person who has victory [in the Christian life] will be dressed like that, in white clothing, and I will not blot out his name from the book of life. And I will confess his name in front of my Father and His angels.

1 Peter 4:2

So then, you should no longer live the rest of your lives [to satisfy] the sinful desires of your body, but to do what God wants.

Hebrews 13:21

equip you with every good deed for doing God’s will. [May He] work in us [to accomplish] what is very pleasing in His sight through [the power of] Jesus Christ. May there be praise to Him forever and ever. May it be so.

Revelation 22:14

Those who wash their robes are blessed because [then] they will have the right to [eat from] the tree of life, and will [be able to] enter the city through the gates.

John 3:5

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I tell you, a person cannot enter the kingdom of God unless he is born out of water and the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 18:3

and said, “Truly I tell you, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven unless you turn [your life around] and become like little children [i.e., having child-like humility].

John 7:17

If anyone [really] desires to do what God wants, he will know whether my teaching comes from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority [only].

Romans 12:2

And you people must not be conformed to [the values and standards of] this age, but you should become transformed [i.e., changed in attitude and action] by having your mind renewed [i.e., to think in a totally different way]. Then you will be able to determine [and practice] God’s will, the thing that is good, and acceptable and perfect.

Mark 3:35

For whoever will do what God wants, that person is my brother, and sister and mother.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Thank [God] for everything, for this is what God wants for you in [the fellowship of] Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 6:6

Do not serve them only when you are being watched, just to gain their approval, but as slaves of Christ, doing what God wants from your heart.

1 Peter 2:15

For it is God’s will that, by doing good, you should put to silence the ignorant [talk and actions] of foolish people.

Matthew 25:21

His master replied, ‘Well done, you are a good and trustworthy servant. You have been trustworthy over a [relatively] few things, so I will place you over many things. Come and share in your master’s joy.’

1 Thessalonians 4:3

For it is God’s will that you should be dedicated to Him, [that is], you should avoid sexual immorality.

Colossians 4:12

Epaphras, who is one of you [See 1:7; 4:9], a slave of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always struggles in his prayers on your behalf so that you will remain mature and be fully convinced [that you are living] by all that God wants [for your life].

Luke 13:25

Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, leaving you standing outside knocking on the door, [and] saying, ‘Sir, [please] open [the door] for us,’ and he answers you, ‘I do not know you or where you came from,’

Acts 14:22

[Along the way] they strengthened the hearts of the disciples, urging them to continue [to believe and practice] the faith and [explaining] that entering God's [heavenly] kingdom [See II Tim. 4:18] requires enduring many trials.

Luke 18:25

For it is [actually] easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a wealthy person to enter the kingdom of God.”

Mark 9:47

And if your eye becomes the occasion for falling away [from God] gouge it out; it would be better for you to enter the kingdom of God with [only] one eye, rather than keeping both eyes and being thrown into hell [i.e., all because one of them caused you to fall away from God].

Matthew 19:24

And again I tell you, it is [actually] easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

Matthew 18:35

In the same way my heavenly Father will also deal with you [i.e., punish you] unless every one of you forgives his brother from the heart.”

John 15:23

If I had not performed the [miraculous] deeds among them which no one else had done, they would not be guilty of sinning. But now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father.

Matthew 26:42

He [then] went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if this [cup of suffering] cannot pass away unless I drink it [i.e., experience the suffering], [then] let what You want be done.”

Matthew 16:17

Jesus replied, “Simon, son of Jonah, you are fortunate [indeed], for this [truth] was not revealed to you by human beings but [rather] by my Father who is in heaven.

Revelation 2:27

[Psa. 2:9 says] ‘And he will rule them [as a shepherd] with a staff of iron, [and smash them] as the clay jars of a potter are broken to pieces’ and [will rule with authority] like the authority which I have received from my Father.

John 14:7

If you have come to know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know Him, and have seen Him.”

John 5:17

But Jesus said to them, “My Father is continuing to work and I am working.”

Matthew 26:39

And He went on ahead a short distance and fell face-down and prayed, “My Father, allow this cup [i.e., of suffering] to pass away from me if it is [at all] possible; nevertheless, let it not be what I want, but what You want [for me].”

Matthew 18:10

Make sure you do not look down on any one of these little ones [i.e., humble followers of Christ]. For I tell you, their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.

Matthew 18:19

I tell you again, if two of you agree [here] on earth concerning anything you ask for [i.e., in prayer], God in heaven will grant it to you.

Matthew 25:10

And while they were away [trying] to buy olive oil, the [bride and] groom arrived, and those who were ready [to welcome them] entered the [house where the] wedding reception [was being held] and the door was shut.