Mat 7:21-23 | TNotes | STEP | 7:21 The will of my Father is expressed in Jesus’ teachings (see also 12:50 ; 21:28-32 ; Rom 2:13 ; Jas 1:22-27 ).

7:21 ^a The will of my Father is expressed in Jesus’ teachings (see also 12:50 ^b; 21:28-32 ^c; Rom 2:13 ^d; Jas 1:22-27 ^e).
7:22 ^f judgment day: The Old Testament concept behind this notion is the “day of the Lord,” when God will come to rescue the faithful and judge the oppressors (Isa 13–14 ^g; Joel 2:1-32 ^h; Zeph 1:14-16 ⁱ). In Jesus’ teaching, this day is when all will be judged for their response to him (see Matt 10:15 ^j; 11:20-24 ^k; 12:36 ^l; 24:19-50 ^m; 25:13 ⁿ, 31-46 ^o; Acts 17:31 ^p; Rom 2:16 ^q).

• Neither charismatic gifts nor public accomplishments in Jesus’ name will necessarily bring God’s acceptance; the decisive issue is obedience (Matt 7:21 ^r).
7:23 ^s I never knew you: These people were never converted, even though they did great things in God’s name. They break God’s laws through rejection of the Father’s will as taught by Jesus. Having never known Christ, they never learned to do what he commanded.