7:21Matthew 7:21

Mere words, profession, and claims of loyalty are not enough to enter the kingdom of heaven, for entrance belongs only to the one who does the will of the Father in heaven.HMW 41.2–3+4
Doing that will means obeying God's law and commandments from the heart, with the Ten Commandments expressing that will and Christ's sayings heard and obeyed like a house built on the rock rather than sand.Ms 101, 1906, par. 51–57+4
It is shown by good fruit and a transformed character, with hereditary and cultivated defects, selfishness, pride, and self surrendered and overcome through Christ, and by wholehearted surrender that gives up one's own way to harmonize with God's way.Lt 256, 1906, par. 18–20+4
No display of prophesying, casting out devils, or mighty works done in Jesus' name can take the place of obedience, and at the judgment such workers of lawlessness will be rejected with the words of separation.Lt 256, 1906, par. 18–20+4
Salvation is not earned by good works, yet genuine faith and conversion are shown in righteous action, daily consecration, love in deeds and service to others, and keeping the seventh-day Sabbath rather than following human tradition.ST Feb 17, 1890+4

The verse belongs to the Sermon on the Mount, which sets out with exclusive divine authority the foundation principles of the kingdom of divine grace, the way to heaven and eternal life, and the conditions of entrance into the kingdom of heaven.Ms 25, 1906, par. 13–16+4 That sermon teaches the way so simply that a child can study it without being misled, yet every sentence comes from God as spirit and life, and no mass of human tradition or wisdom can fit the learner to obtain the higher immortal life apart from it.STE 10.1 Its principles reach beyond outward compliance to require God's law in the heart, because the heart's condition shapes life and character.Lt 7, 1886, par. 34

The verse disappoints hope of worldly greatness and corrects false education about the kingdom by giving a right conception of God and of Christ's character.DA 299.3+1 It does not directly attack errors but teaches something infinitely better, leaving hearers to conclude the spiritual nature of the kingdom from its entrance requirements.DA 299.3 It swept away misrepresentations of God as a stern judge without compassion and restored confidence in His paternal love, in opposition to the self-righteous profession that wrestles Scripture to evade truth and puts human maxims and traditions for God's commandments.FE 309.1 Its foundation principles are as needed now as for the multitude on the mount.DA 299.3

Saying Lord, Lord means verbal profession, fair speeches, exalted claims, and outward religious words.Ms 2, 1878, par. 10+1 Words alone have no value as a test of sincerity unless accompanied by fitting deeds, for deeds reveal whether faith is genuine.COL 272.1–2+1 The parable of the two sons illustrates this, showing that hearing truth without accepting it leaves profession worthless, like building on sliding sand, while worth lies in representing Christ in life and character.Ms 2, 1878, par. 10+1

The kingdom of heaven is the holy city, the city of God, the kingdom of glory, and eternal life.Ms 101, 1906, par. 51–57+3 Its gates will not open to everyone who wants to enter, and doing the Father's will states the terms of salvation and the condition of entrance.Lt 293, 1905, par. 19–25+3 Calling Christ Lord does not prepare anyone to enter, and obedience to His commandments through faith in Christ is the condition for eternal life.Ms 101, 1906, par. 51–57+1 Entrance belongs only to those who have studied to know God's will, ordered life by His Word, and yielded to His control.CEv 68.4+1

Every word of Matthew 7 is to be studied as for life.Ms 7, 1898, par. 17–20 This verse in particular is to be studied critically again and again for individual enlightenment, conversion, and benefit.Lt 8, 1910, par. 14+1 It is not to be used to prove faults discerned in others, for being absorbed with others' faults while blind to one's own is itself rebuked as very serious.Ms 101, 1906, par. 51–57+1 Hearing Christ's sayings and doing them builds on the rock so the house stands when rain, floods, winds, trial, and temptation beat upon it.Ms 157, 1907, par. 14

Merely addressing Jesus as Lord does not qualify anyone to enter the kingdom of heaven, and no profession of Christ, of faith, of holiness, or of love for God secures entrance apart from doing the will of the Father in heaven.HMW 41.2–3+4 Religious claims and impressive works cannot substitute for obedience and a life bearing good fruit, so even prophesying, casting out devils, and doing mighty works, healings, and wonders in Jesus' name are worthless when joined with practicing iniquity, and those who work iniquity will be rejected at the judgment as persons He never knew.Lt 256, 1906, par. 18–20+4 People may appear moral yet lack the character God approves, and calling Christ Lord does not prepare anyone to enter the holy city unless hereditary and cultivated traits of character are overcome, defects are cleansed, and the will, pride, selfishness, and one's own way are surrendered in humility, self-death, acceptance of correction, patience, and kindness rather than discerning the faults of others while blind to one's own shortcomings.Lt 256, 1906, par. 18–20+2 Doing the will means obeying God's commandments, and hearing Christ's sayings and doing them is like building on rock so the house withstands rain, floods, winds, and storms, while hearing without doing is like building on sand whose fall is great.Ms 101, 1906, par. 51–57+2 This warning exposes deception and marks the way that leads to life, calling for deeper consecration and diligent work for one's own salvation and for bringing unbelieving friends and neighbors to conversion and to the truth, since many honestly think they are serving God and doing the Lord's work while working against Him because they are not doers of His Word, refuse to obey and to be corrected, and are led on in deception by the enemy and his angels.HMW 41.2–3+3

The verse places every person on a right side or a wrong side, for words and works testify which side one stands on, and the principles guiding a person's life work reveal character and distinguish genuine believers from unbelievers.20MR 67.5–6+2 It is the test of whether a person is traveling the narrow way that leads to life, to the city of God, and to everlasting life, calling for faith built upon God's living Word rather than upon changeable, pleasing theories, with Christ rejecting hypocrites but acknowledging and honoring those who truly serve Him.Ms 62, 1904, par. 11–15+2 It separates the wise virgins with oil from the foolish virgins, since mere profession and even baptism alone do not save without evidence of doing the will by letting light burn in good works, remaining at the feet of Jesus and learning His ways, being conformed to Christ's image, giving up old habits and worldly influence, ideas and customs, and keeping oil in the vessel with the lamp, which is holy grace sent from heaven that inwardly adorns the heart and enables readiness for the Bridegroom when He appears.16MR 271.3

Man judges from outward appearance, but God looks at the heart, so outward appearance or a claim to faith does not reveal true character.Ms 102, 1898, par. 3–4+2 Many who regard themselves as Christians and think themselves Christians will ultimately be found wanting and lost, while many whom their neighbors supposed would never reach heaven will be saved.COL 71.2–3+1 God knows the strength of the temptations He permits and sees the inward conflicts and severe struggles of the one who gives up the visible on the strength of God's promise of the invisible.GW92 218.1

Doing the Father's will means obeying God's law and commandments, and only such obedience prepares for entrance into the holy city and the kingdom of heaven.Ms 101, 1906, par. 51–57+4 That will is made known in the Ten Commandments, which were given in Eden and spoken aloud at Sinai, and Christ himself gave those statutes and precepts through Moses, so to set Christ against that law is to set Christ against himself.Ms 27, 1899, par. 19–20+1 Acceptable obedience follows Christ's obedience to the Father and is the answer to what is required for eternal life.Ms 166, 1905, par. 4 It is not outward compliance alone but having God's law in the heart and rendering perfect obedience, comparing words, spirit, and actions with the Word as a moral looking-glass.Ms 101, 1906, par. 51–57+2 Genuine faith receives Christ as personal Saviour, produces obedience to all His commandments, and is shown by good fruit, for the question of doing the Father's will is decisive for salvation.Lt 112, 1909, par. 7–10+1

Doing that will includes keeping the seventh-day Sabbath commanded in the fourth commandment and keeping sacred His memorial of creation by remembering the Sabbath to keep it holy, rather than choosing Sunday to avoid being unpopular.ST Feb 17, 1890+1 It means refusing the commandments of men, refusing to corrupt the way of the Lord, hearing His warnings, feeling the weight of the moral law, and not making light of God's precepts.Ms 4a, 1898, par. 20–21 It means not breaking one of the least of His commandments and not teaching others to do so, while teachers who draw away from the narrow path and the strait gate and break God's law and teach others to break it do the work that began with the prince of darkness. Those who fail in this will still present their supposed good works to God as if He needs to be reminded of His duty toward them, when they are the ones who needed to be reminded.Ms 4a, 1898, par. 20–21

Doing the will is shown by good fruit and a transformed character, for the principles guiding a person's life work testify to that person's character and distinguish genuine believers from unbelievers.Lt 256, 1906, par. 18–20+3 A good tree bears good fruit and a corrupt tree evil fruit, so Christian profession must be made real in conduct, and words and actions as fruit by which character is known must agree with faith.Lt 256, 1906, par. 18–20+2 People may appear moral yet lack the character God approves, and religious claims, prayers, preaching, and impressive works cannot excuse disobedience or a life marked by wrongdoing.Lt 256, 1906, par. 18–20+1 Hereditary and cultivated traits of character, selfishness, pride, self, and defects of character that are not overcome, surrendered, and cleansed through Christ can never find entrance into the kingdom.Ms 101, 1906, par. 51–57

Doing the will means hearing Christ's sayings and doing them, building on the rock rather than on sand so the house stands when rain, floods, winds, trial, and temptation beat upon it.Ms 2, 1878, par. 2–3+4 Hearing without doing leaves profession worthless and the building to fall greatly, leaving a person spiritually unsteady and liable to fall.Ms 2, 1878, par. 2–3+3 This daily character-building requires that hearing Christ's words be joined with doing them and that life be built on Christ, the sure foundation that withstands trial.Ms 85, 1909, par. 18–21+1 The warning applies to those who resist correction and rely on their own confidence: unless they repent and obey Christ's words, their spiritual building will fall when tested, and they cannot be saved.Lt 360, 1905, par. 8–10

Doing the will is wholehearted, undivided surrender following Christ's obedience to the Father, requiring strength to place the feet in His footsteps instead of listening to personal ideas, plans, and suggestions of the mind.Ms 115, 1906, par. 2–5+1 It means accepting correction, giving up having one's own way and will, humbling the heart before God, dying to self, sacrificing will and pride, and perfecting character in patience and kindness instead of discerning the faults of others while blind to one's own shortcomings.Ms 101, 1906, par. 51–57 It is bringing truth into the soul temple, an entire surrender of the will to God, inclining the will to harmonize with God's will and way, living by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, responding to the leadings of the Holy Spirit, refusing the deceiver, and rousing the energies to resolve and act on known light and truth.Ms 115, 1906, par. 2–5+3 True holiness is this surrender and doing the heavenly Father's will, trusting Him in trials and darkness as well as in the light, walking by faith rather than sight, refusing to gratify personal inclination, and resting confidently in His love.MYP 154.2+2

Doing the will is shown by love in deeds, personal ministry, sacrifice, and earnest work for the Master, going to the poor and to the rich and gathering sheaves from high and low.Lt 10, 1893, par. 10+1 Christian life consists of both faith and practice, and genuine connection is shown by doing His work, using opportunities and abilities in service, helping and encouraging others, and bearing fruit in a blameless life and a Christlike character.Ms 25, 1908, par. 8–11+2 It requires treating others fairly and compassionately, maintaining honest business and refusing deception, and only doing God's will demonstrates true religion.RH Apr 27, 1905 It also requires giving attention to the highest interest and taking time to become intelligent in regard to the laws of being so as to obey them in eating, dressing, appetite, and care of the body, instead of letting the mind be engrossed by fashion, domestic care and burdens, and intemperance.LC1 162.3

Mere utterance of the divine title, however earnest, does not admit anyone to the heavenly kingdom, for admission belongs only to those who carry out the Father's will.Lt 256, 1906, par. 18–20+4 Even impressive religious claims cannot take the place of obedience and a life bearing good fruit, for people may appear moral yet lack the character God approves.Lt 256, 1906, par. 18–20+2 Prophesying, driving out evil spirits, and performing wonderful works, healings, and miracles in Christ's name are worthless when joined with practicing iniquity and lawlessness.Ms 2, 1878, par. 2–3+3 At the day of judgment such workers will be disowned and commanded to depart, as those whom Christ never knew.Ms 2, 1878, par. 2–3+2 Hearing His sayings must therefore be joined with doing them, building on the rock and on Christ the sure foundation so the house withstands rain, floods, winds, trial, and temptation, for hearing without doing leaves the building on sand to fall greatly.Ms 2, 1878, par. 2–3+1

Those mighty works will become increasingly apparent in the last days under Satan's inspiration.Ms 27, 1899, par. 19–20+1 People may claim great spiritual power and perform remarkable works while losing sight of Christ and acting under the enemy's influence.RH May 7, 1901+1 Their works can deceive others and lead them away from obedience, truth, and duty.RH May 7, 1901+1 Just before the second appearing to take and possess the kingdom forever, when human agents moved by power from beneath and satanic agencies seem to have almost full control of the world, Jesus opens the eyes of all who have walked in the light so they are not deceived by that spirit.Lt 60, 1893, par. 6–7

At the final reckoning bitter disappointment will come to some who were outwardly religious and apparently lived Christian lives, because self was woven into all they did.Lt 91, 1904, par. 17–20+2 Prayers, preaching, church membership, and outward forms cannot excuse disobedience or a life marked by wrongdoing, for words and actions are the fruit by which character is known and they must agree with faith.1T 416.1–417.1+1 Pride in morality, influence, higher position, ability, and knowledge of the truth will not win Christ's commendation.Lt 91, 1904, par. 17–20+2 Many professed Christians will learn too late, when judged according to works, that their religion was only a glittering cheat unacknowledged by Christ, their true deformed condition exposed and found wanting when it is too late to change.1T 416.1–417.1+2 Those who fail to do the Father's will are shut out from heaven by their own unfitness for its companionship, and when Christ pronounces the irrevocable sentence, I know you not, depart, there is no further discussion because the time for that is past.Lt 91, 1904, par. 17–20+2

Many honestly think they are serving God and doing His work while working against Him, because they are not doers of His Word.Ms 101, 1906, par. 51–57+1 They are deceived by the enemy and led on by Satan's angels because they neglect and refuse to follow the light God has given, choose their own judgment and confidence, resist correction, and reject the means God provides to correct error and unite in truth.Ms 101, 1906, par. 51–57+3 This includes discerning faults in others while blind to one's own shortcomings, refusing to give up having one's own way, and failing to humble the heart, die to self, and perfect character in patience and kindness.Ms 101, 1906, par. 51–57+1 Unless they repent and obey Christ's words, their spiritual building will fall when tested, and they will be forever lost.Ms 101, 1906, par. 51–57+2 The danger is especially acute at the close of earth's history amid confusion, when Satan stealthily brings misleading sentiments to confuse minds that know the truth, and those living divided lives, professing to serve the Lord while scheming out their own plans that retard the work Christ died to accomplish, will be deceived unless converted.Lt 248, 1907, par. 6–8

The verse thus marks the division of the two classes formed for the last day.Lt 248, 1907, par. 6–8+1 On one side stand the commandment-keeping people of God whose eyes are opened to avoid deception, and on the other the commandment-breakers inspired by the devil and his angels.Lt 248, 1907, par. 6–8+1

Not everyone who calls Jesus Lord will enter heaven, for entrance belongs only to those who do the Father's will, which is to keep His commandments, and no claim of grace or atonement gives liberty to break God's law.ST Apr 15, 1875+2 Impressive religious claims and works, even prophesying and casting out devils and doing many wonderful works in His name, cannot replace obedience, for those who practice lawlessness are rejected despite profession of love.Ms 52, 1898, par. 2–6+2 Salvation is not earned by good works, but genuine faith receives Christ as personal Saviour and Redeemer and Pattern, and the received gift of God's love is shown in righteous action through which character is transformed and formed.Ms 52, 1898, par. 2–6+1 Love confined to words is delusion, and holiness is lifting the cross and faithfully performing duty with a right estimate of God's character, not a religion of words and forms that keeps truth in the outer court to be admired, nor a religion of feeling that distrusts God in trial, nor a selfish religion content with worldly enjoyment that regards sin and duty lightly while contemplating Christ without knowing His saving power.Ms 26, 1885, par. 16–18+1

Doing the Father's will requires genuine conversion, the new birth, and abiding in Christ, giving evidence by a new life seen in good works and fruits of righteousness.Ms 52, 1898, par. 2–6+2 It means letting the light burn in good works, remaining at the feet of Jesus and learning His ways, giving evidence of being conformed to His image, giving up old habits and worldly influence, ideas and customs, and keeping oil in the vessel with the lamp, which is holy grace sent from heaven that inwardly adorns the heart and enables readiness for the Bridegroom.Ms 52, 1898, par. 2–6+1 It means giving God the undivided affections and an undivided heart, practicing the truth, loving God and keeping His commandments, and doing Christ's will instead of one's own through faith that works by love and purifies the soul from genuine love for Christ.6MR 155.2–156.1+1 Baptism alone does not save without this evidence, and this thorough conversion and entire surrender must be understood and experienced before baptism, making the line plain between those who love God and keep His commandments and those who do not.16MR 271.3+1 True holiness is surrendering the will to God, obeying at whatever cost, walking in His way, overcoming all selfishness, and living by God's word in practical Christian work.Ms 116, 1904, par. 26–28+2

Eternal life is gained only through Christ, who is the propitiation for sin, and obedience to God's word is the condition of entrance.CEv 68.4+1 Seeing this condition leads the sinner to become sensible of it, to see Christ as the propitiation, and to come to the Saviour humbly and sorrowfully and in contrition, confessing sin, asking forgiveness, and surrendering fully, moved by the majesty and glory of God and the hope of eternal peace and joy and purity.CEv 68.4+1 Doing the will is holiness, not rapture or feeling admired in the outward court, nor outward worship and devotional forms, nor hearing truth and saying it is believed, nor imagining great things to do.Lt 10, 1893, par. 12–13 It is bringing truth into the soul temple, an entire surrender of the will to God, living by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, trusting God in trial and in darkness as well as in light, walking by faith and not by sight, trusting Him with all confidence and resting in His love.AA 51.2+1 Eternal salvation is secured only when entering through the gates into the city of God, and until then rejoicing as eternally saved is premature and must give place to fear of coming short of the promise.Lt 10, 1893, par. 12–13

The verse calls each person to count the cost of following Christ rather than deceive themselves about their standing, and to examine life truthfully by God's Word and reform to be ready for the heavenly investigation.Lt 109, 1893, par. 6–7+2 People may possess God's Word and make high profession of faith yet remain unsanctified and unholy, and unless there are decided conversions many who think they are lights will prove to be stumbling blocks and will not enter heaven.Lt 8, 1910, par. 14+2 It is instruction to be studied critically again and again for one's own enlightenment and conversion, not to prove supposed faults discerned in others, for being absorbed with the faults of others is itself rebuked as very serious.Lt 8, 1910, par. 14 Every word of Matthew 7 is to be studied as for life, comparing words, spirit, and actions with the Word as with a moral looking glass, being a doer of the work and not a hearer only, having the work first done in the heart, and practicing the truth in daily life to know and do the work of reaching lost souls.Ms 7, 1898, par. 17–20

Doing the Father's will must follow profession, for claiming to be God's child or calling Jesus Lord is not enough to enter the kingdom, and works bear witness whether a person is truly His child.Ms 17, 1887, par. 1+2 Profession without practical godliness has no value, and genuineness is demonstrated by practical, earnest endeavor and steady advancement, for only doers of the Word will be justified.Ms 17, 1887, par. 1+2 Those consecrated to God do His will daily and hourly, inquiring every day how best to please the Master, what enterprise is best to engage in, and giving whole-hearted service to whatever work is accepted in labor to advance students in every line of education.Ms 56, 1900, par. 2+2 Merely saying I am in the light with folded hands does not bring entrance, but walking in the light is walking uprightly and perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord, following on to know the Lord with His law in the heart so as not to slide but to stand firm in Christ.Ms 94, 1902, par. 29–30 Acceptable obedience is whole-hearted like Christ's obedience to the Father, and true faith leads away from selfishness into a life of obedience.RH Aug 2, 1906

Fixing attention on the heavenly crown turns one from earthly rewards, while seeking both leaves one in darkness and causes loss of sight of heaven.RH May 20, 1862 Calling Christ Lord does not qualify a person when life and service are actually devoted to the world, to worldly gain, honor, or sensual pleasure, but true discipleship requires walking in His statutes and living in obedience with experimental knowledge of Christ and a sanctified life.4T 613.2–3+1 Mere profession of belief and receiving the Word while not practicing the truth is deception, and church members who lack self-denial and self-sacrifice, spend the Lord's money on dress and selfish indulgence instead of saving souls, and do not follow on to know the Lord need to be reconverted and sanctified in soul, body, and spirit.Ms 141, 1907, par. 15–17 Claims of religious service and apparently good deeds do not qualify when selfishness, greed, dishonesty, or injustice corrupt them, for such conduct turns people from the truth and leaves the workers self-deceived, and Christ rejects their work as iniquity.Ms 108, 1901, par. 10–14+1 Giving regularly or claiming to keep the commandments cannot secure heaven while cherished riches remain an idol and supreme love for God is lacking, for Christ's selfless life is the example of doing God's will.1T 482.1–483.1 Hearing Jesus' words without practicing them is like building a house on sand, while hearing and obeying is like building on rock, and professing the truth while withholding strength from God and giving priority to worldly interests fails to practice it.Ms 141, 1907, par. 15–17+1

The lessons of Matthew 7 are to be shown in daily life, for living those lessons makes a deeper and more lasting impression than preaching alone.6T 472.1 Profession of Christ does not secure entrance, and many professed Christians will learn too late at the judgment according to their works that their religion was only a glittering cheat unacknowledged by Jesus Christ.ST Apr 6, 1882 True religion is not a dress to be put off and on to suit circumstances but a calm, steady, unvarying principle that represents Christ in every act of life, with the love of Christ as an abiding motive manifested in kindness, meekness, forbearance, cheerfulness, and love.ST Apr 6, 1882 Impatience, fretfulness, repining, pride, unbelief, and selfishness eat out vital godliness from the heart and give the lie to profession of faith.ST Apr 6, 1882 Christian life consists of both faith and practice, and personal service for Christ bears fruit in a blameless life and a Christlike character, with future happiness depending on active faith in His Word expressed by doing His will and doing good.MWCP 3.1+1 Those connected with Jesus as co-laborers put the great work of redemption first while eating and drinking and dressing and houses and lands are secondary, let the peace of God within cut off the withered branches of selfishness, vanity, pride and indolence, refuse expedients for amusement and seeking after happiness, and instead secure substantial happiness in taking up work in the fear of God and doing service for the Master through personal effort.ST Feb 24, 1887

Doing the Father's will means obeying God's law, comparing words, spirit, and actions with the Word as with a moral looking glass, being a doer and not a hearer only, having the work first done in the heart, and practicing the truth in daily life to know and do the work of reaching lost souls.Ms 7, 1898, par. 17–20 The verse is applied as a warning in efforts to bring unbelieving friends and neighbors to conversion and to the truth.HMW 41.2–3 Obedience includes faithfully using opportunities and abilities in service, developing Christian character through daily purification and sanctification, and helping and encouraging others, for doing nothing to help in the work of salvation leaves souls in peril.RH Apr 22, 1909 Children must be taught to gain a clear understanding of the terms of entrance, which are ordering the life by the requirements and lessons of God's word, studying to know God's will and yielding the life to His control, for the gates of the city of God will not open to everyone who wants to enter.5T 331.1+1 A life spent for self, doing nothing for God and opposing His expressed word, fails the test, which calls for trust in God, childlike dependence on His promises, and full surrender to His will shown in a character that follows Christ's teachings and lives in peace and harmony with the church.4T 18.1

The verse is to be studied critically again and again for individual enlightenment and conversion, not to prove supposed faults discerned in others, for being absorbed with the faults of others is itself a very serious defect.Lt 8, 1910, par. 14 Unless there are decided conversions, many who think they are lights will prove to be stumbling blocks and will not enter, because entering requires doing the will of the Father.Lt 8, 1910, par. 14 People are known by fruits, as a good tree brings forth good fruit and a corrupt tree evil fruit, and every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire.Ms 94, 1899, par. 18–19 Even prophesying in Christ's name, casting out devils, and doing many wonderful works do not save workers of iniquity, to whom Christ will profess, I never knew you, depart from me, as illustrated by the parable of the men who built upon the rock and upon the sand.Ms 94, 1899, par. 18–19+1 Those who teach the truth while not themselves doers of the Word greatly dishonor the Lord, and when they do not make straight paths for their feet the lame are turned out of the way.Ms 94, 1899, par. 18–19 Believers who have received great light are responsible to show its truth through a godly example, and religious claims or impressive works cannot excuse a life of iniquity or careless speech and conduct.RH Sep 28, 1911 Profession, church membership, talent, education, outward forms, and even giving to sustain the church do not prepare the unrepentant for Christ's coming, for a claim of piety, love for God, holiness, and submission can hide a corrupt life, and hearing the truth must be joined with obeying it lest claims without practice be hypocrisy.LS 265.2–267.1+1 Professing to know and worship the true God does not give entrance, as shown by self-righteous scribes and Pharisees who professed to know God while wrestling the Scriptures to evade their truths, teaching maxims and traditions of men for commandments, presenting human ideas without Thus saith the Lord, and misrepresenting God as a stern judge without compassion, in theories and practice opposed in every way by Christ's teaching in the Sermon on the Mount which restored confidence in the love of God as Our Father.FE 309.1 False prophets in sheep's clothing, self-made standards, human traditions, and examples that mislead or excuse others will be judged by words and works from the books of heaven.Ms 94, 1899, par. 18–19+2