Who Will Go To Heaven? (Matthew 7:21-23, John 14:6)

Introduction

Have you ever wondered who will go to heaven? The question sits with you in quiet moments, pops up in conversations, and can even make your heart race when you think about eternity. You might have heard slogans like “good people go to heaven” or “just believe, and you’re in,” but when you read Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:21-23 and John 14:6, you realize the answer is both urgent and personal. In this article, you’ll walk through the Bible foundation for this question, understand the key truth Jesus taught, explore the deeper meaning, and see how it applies to your everyday life. This matters because eternity isn’t abstract — it shapes how you live, love, and relate to God today.

The Bible Foundation

Read the verses carefully and let them speak plainly.

• Matthew 7:21-23 (NIV): “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:21-23
• John 14:6 (NIV): “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” John 14:6

When you read Matthew 7:21-23, you hear a strong warning: words and religious activity alone don’t guarantee entrance into God’s kingdom. Jesus is confronting superficial faith — people who say “Lord” but don’t live in a relationship aligned with the Father’s will. John 14:6 points you to the core of the solution: Jesus himself is the way to the Father. These verses together create the foundation: an authentic relationship with Jesus, not just religious performance, is central.

Understanding the Core Truth

At the center of these passages is one clear idea: relationship matters more than ritual. You can summarize it like this: saying the right words or doing impressive religious things isn’t the same as truly knowing Jesus. Jesus insists on an authentic, personal connection — one that transforms the heart and life. If your faith is only performance, it won’t stand when God weighs your life. But if your faith is rooted in trusting Jesus as your way to the Father, it brings real change: love, obedience, and a life shaped by God’s will.

Going Deeper — The Hidden Meaning

Beneath the surface warning about hypocrisy is a deeper invitation to intimacy. When Jesus says, “I never knew you,” he’s not giving a legalistic checklist; he’s pointing to a relationship. Knowing God in biblical language means closeness, friendship, and ongoing fellowship. Think of Moses and Aaron, David and Jonathan, or Jesus and his disciples — biblical “knowing” always implies a bond that affects identity and behavior. This is why Jesus connects “doing the will of my Father” with entering the kingdom; the will of the Father becomes your will as you grow in relationship. The hidden message is hopeful: God wants to know you, but that knowing changes you inwardly and outwardly.

Modern Connection — Relevance Today

How does this ancient truth apply to your neighborhood, workplace, or family? Very practically.

In a culture that values public image, it’s easy to act spiritually impressive: post church photos, quote Scripture, or attend events while your inner life is disconnected. Jesus calls you to a different kind of visibility — one that comes from a heart re-oriented toward God and others. In marriage, that means loving sacrificially rather than just appearing devoted. At work, it means integrity even when no one is watching. In your small group, it looks like honest confession and mutual growth, not performance. Your faith should shape daily choices, not just Sunday schedules.

Practical Application — Living the Message

You don’t need a spiritual makeover overnight; you need small, consistent steps that deepen your relationship with Jesus.

• Start with honest prayer: tell God where performance has been replacing real faith. Invite Jesus to change you.
• Prioritize Scripture that points to who Jesus is (like John 14:6) and what following him looks like (like Matthew 7).
• Seek a community that encourages transparency and accountability rather than applause.
• Practice obedience in small things — generosity, forgiveness, telling the truth — and watch how the pattern of your life shifts.

These small acts create a faith that’s known by Jesus — a faith that produces the fruit of the Spirit and aligns your will with the Father’s.

Faith Reflection Box

Take a moment to reflect: When has your faith felt more like performance than relationship? What would it look like to let Jesus know you tangibly this week?

Key Takeaways:

• Real entrance into heaven is about a relationship with Jesus, not religious performance.
• John 14:6 points you to Jesus as the unique way to the Father.
• Authentic faith shows itself in a life aligned with God’s will, not just impressive deeds.
• Start with small acts of obedience and honest prayer to deepen your relationship with Christ.

Q&A

Q1: If someone does many good works in Jesus’ name, can they still be excluded from heaven? Answer: Yes — Matthew 7:21-23 warns that impressive deeds can exist without a genuine relationship. Jesus taught that doing religious deeds isn’t the same as doing the Father’s will from a transformed heart. Good works without a relationship are like fruit on a dead tree: they may look right outwardly, but lack life inside. Scripture points to the importance of both faith and works — faith that trusts Jesus and produces obedience. See also James 2:17-18 for how faith and works interact. Matthew 7:21-23 James 2:17-18

Related:  A Study On True and False Disciples: An Exploration of Matthew 7:21-23

Q2: Does John 14:6 mean people of other faiths can’t be saved? Answer: John 14:6 states that Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life” and that “no one comes to the Father except through me,” which is a clear, exclusive claim. This means that Jesus is the unique means of reconciliation with God. How that applies to individuals — especially those who’ve never heard the Gospel — is a deep theological question with compassionate mystery. What you can hold confidently is that Jesus’ invitation is to know him personally and that the New Testament consistently points to faith in Christ as the path to the Father. See John 14:6 and Acts 4:12 for clarity on Christ’s unique role.

Q3: How can I know if Jesus really “knows” me, as in Matthew 7:23? Answer: The Bible gives signs of a genuine relationship: ongoing repentance, trust, transformation, and a life marked by love. If you’re worried Jesus doesn’t know you, the first step is honest confession and returning to him (1 John 1:9). Genuine assurance grows as you see Christ changing your desires and actions and as you rest in his promises rather than your performance. Keep close to Scripture, prayer, and community — these are means by which you’ll experience Jesus’ knowing presence. See 1 John 1:9 and 2 Corinthians 13:5.

See also:  Forgiveness and Renewal: He is faithful and just… He will forgive – 1 John 1:9

Conclusion & Reflection

Who will go to heaven? Jesus gives both a warning and an invitation. The warning is clear: not all who call him “Lord” will enter the kingdom. The invitation is even clearer: come to Jesus, the way to the Father, and allow him to change your heart. Your faith is meant to be a living relationship that shapes every corner of your life — not a costume you put on for public display.

Let’s pray together briefly: Lord Jesus, help me to know you deeply. Forgive any places where I’ve relied on outward shows rather than a real relationship with you. Teach me to trust you as the way to the Father and to let that trust reshape my life. Give me courage to choose obedience, humility to seek repentance, and joy in following you. Amen.

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