II. THE WAY INTO THE KINGDOM.

21. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom.

The Lord has shown that the entrance into the kingdom is through the "strait gate." He now shows more particularly what is needful to enter. Certain ones are described who cannot enter in. "Not every one" implies that some who say, "Lord, Lord," etc., shall enter in. Observe, 1. To call on the name of the Lord and to confess him are right and are done by those who are saved. 2. Prayer is. characteristic of the true disciples. 3. But these are not sufficient. Persons cannot profess or pray their way into the kingdom, as some even in our day seem to suppose. More is needful and the Savior shows what more is required.

Those enter who do the will of my Father.

In other words no soul can be saved in disobedience. No one can be. citizen of the kingdom who does not obey the King. The one thing of pre-eminent importance in order to enter in is to surrender completely to the will of the Lord. It cannot be impressed with too much emphasis that obedience to Christ is essential to salvation. Of those who confess and pray "not every one" but those who also obey shall "enter in."

My Father.

Christ taught us to say "Our Father," but he constantly speaks of "my Father."

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