The word “except” appears approximately 74 times in the King James Version of the Bible. This word generally indicates that unless one thing is true, something else cannot be.
For example, in John 3:2, Nicodemus correctly stated that no one could do the miracles Jesus was doing “except God be with Him.” Jesus responded by saying “except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). After Nicodemus asked how one could be born again, Jesus answered “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (verse 5).
Unless we undergo a spiritual rebirth, we cannot enter God’s kingdom. This rebirth takes place at the point of baptism, and involves “putting off” the old life of sin and walking in “newness of life” (Rom. 6:3-4).
Walking in “newness of life” involves repentance. In Luke 13:3, Jesus, in reference to certain Galileans, said “except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
Biblical repentance is a change of will that results in a change of actions and words. It involves a choice to turn from sin in submission to God. Except we repent, we will be doomed (cf. Rev. 2:5, 22).
Eternal life in heaven will also not happen except we humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand.
In Matthew 18, Jesus was asked who was “greatest” in the kingdom of heaven. He set a child in the midst of His disciples, and said “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (verse 3). True conversion involves, among other things, becoming like little children in humble recognition of our dependence on our Father (cf. Matt. 18:4).
As we turn to our Father, we must remember that pleasing Him goes deeper than looking righteous in the eyes of others. In Matthew 5:20, Jesus said “Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
These scribes and Pharisees were religious to a degree, but not pleasing to God. What works they did were motivated by a desire for recognition (Matt. 23:5). Many of the works they bound on others they did not even keep (Matt. 23:2-4). What is more, they commanded works to be done that did not come from God, but were merely traditions (Matt. 15:9).
Except our service is sincere and doctrinally pure, unlike these Jewish leaders, we will not enter heaven.
Being a part of God’s kingdom now and dwelling with Him in heaven eternally has requirements. Except we submit to these, we will not be saved.
– Michael Hickox