Merely calling on the Lord does not gain access to the kingdom. The word “Lord” is meaningless until given its true meaning. Therefore, those who do the Father’s will enter the kingdom. And we know that will, don’t we? Rather than being told, why not review the Chart of Responses (Lesson “The Giver, the Gift and the Giving”, Topic “Accepting The Invitation”). Discern for yourself the responses that relate directly to entering the kingdom. Expand your search to responses that God links to conversion for receiving initial salvation.
Which responses do you think the people of Matthew 7 miss? Faith? Confession? If they call Jesus, “Lord, Lord,” they surely have some form of belief and confession. Do they lack child-like humility and repentance? They may feel a change of heart, but does it translate to obedience? Do they miss biblical baptism?
We do know this. When John and Jesus first announced the kingdom and required baptism, the Pharisees rejected it (Luke 7:30). Nicodemus was a Pharisee. He approached Jesus at night with high compliments. But Jesus went straight to the point: Nicodemus needed the new birth, and it involved water.
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).
Here is the same subject as Matthew 7: entering the kingdom. In the context of John 3, Jesus and John “the Baptizer” are requiring repentance and immersion in “water” (John 1:26, 28, 31; 3:22-23, 26; 4:1-2 cf. Matthew 3:6; Mark 1:5). Religious elites and their followers objected then, and they still object. Today, in the case of the so-called mother church, they minimize immersion for believers in favor of their traditions for babies. Reformers react (rightfully) to ritualistic water, and object (wrongfully) to any linking of salvation with water. They become adept at ignoring or explaining away John 3:5; Acts 2:37-41; 8:36-39; 10:47; 22:16; Ephesians 5:26; 1 Peter 3:20-21, and more.
Who does the work in baptism? Find the Lord’s answer in Colossians 2.
Ironically, they dismiss water baptism by labeling it a “work.” Yet, of all the biblical responses, baptism involves the least work for the believer. It is passive—be baptized—which perfectly fits its role as spiritual birth (John 3:1-5; Titus 3:5). Ask any mother, “Who does the work in the birth process?” In baptism, God is the One working or operating (Colossians 2:11-12).
On the other hand, “believe” is human activity, something we do (Acts 16:30-31). Jesus calls it a “work” (John 6:29). “Repent” is human activity, something we do. Repentance involves “deeds” (Acts 26:20; 19:18-19; Jonah 3:10). In its very nature, any human response required by God is something we do.