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Mat 7:21 ¶ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity
In context it is clear that Jesus is pronouncing judgment upon Israel as a nation. They were, like many today, very religious but very far from God. This is not about individual believers but a prophecy directed to the nation of Israel.
Using this passage for a proof text requiring works to be saved is sloppy exegesis and creates doctrine that is in error. Proof texting is always corrected by correct context.
For the cause of Christ
Roger
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity
In context it is clear that Jesus is pronouncing judgment upon Israel as a nation. They were, like many today, very religious but very far from God. This is not about individual believers but a prophecy directed to the nation of Israel.
Using this passage for a proof text requiring works to be saved is sloppy exegesis and creates doctrine that is in error. Proof texting is always corrected by correct context.
For the cause of Christ
Roger
Jesus did the "will of God"...and delivered us from this present evil world
Galatians 1:4 (KJV)
[SUP]4 [/SUP] Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
It is God in us that gives us the will and the ability to do His will.
Philippians 2:13 (NASB)
[SUP]13 [/SUP] for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
The Will of the Father is to believe on Jesus.
1 John 3:23-24 (NASB)
[SUP]23[/SUP] This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.
[SUP]24 [/SUP] The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.
The good works we do are from "being in Christ"..being led by the Holy Spirit. Notice God has prepared them for us. We walk them out as we life our lives dependent on Him.
Ephesians 2:8-10 (NASB)
[SUP]8 [/SUP] For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
[SUP]9 [/SUP] not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Galatians 1:4 (KJV)
[SUP]4 [/SUP] Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
It is God in us that gives us the will and the ability to do His will.
Philippians 2:13 (NASB)
[SUP]13 [/SUP] for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
The Will of the Father is to believe on Jesus.
1 John 3:23-24 (NASB)
[SUP]23[/SUP] This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.
[SUP]24 [/SUP] The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.
The good works we do are from "being in Christ"..being led by the Holy Spirit. Notice God has prepared them for us. We walk them out as we life our lives dependent on Him.
Ephesians 2:8-10 (NASB)
[SUP]8 [/SUP] For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
[SUP]9 [/SUP] not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity
In this Scripture we see the following:
Many will call Him "Lord"... but they will point to their "works" for their entrance... "Did we not DO these things?"
But Jesus said you must DO the will of God... you workers of lawlessness...
These men were lawless... not righteous...
Why were they lawless, but not righteous?
Because He NEVER knew them....
If we do not know Jesus, we do not know God, and if we do not know God, we are workers of iniquity.
They pointed to THEIR works, but not His work. They didn't do the work of God.
John 6:28Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
The sobering reality that Jesus is painting is that even if you're doing works, wonderful works, but you don't believe in the Son, you are practicing lawlessness. If you're looking at your works for entrance you will be sorely let down. Because only one is righteous, Jesus Christ, and we must be joined with Him to be righteous.
C.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity
In this Scripture we see the following:
Many will call Him "Lord"... but they will point to their "works" for their entrance... "Did we not DO these things?"
But Jesus said you must DO the will of God... you workers of lawlessness...
These men were lawless... not righteous...
Why were they lawless, but not righteous?
Because He NEVER knew them....
If we do not know Jesus, we do not know God, and if we do not know God, we are workers of iniquity.
They pointed to THEIR works, but not His work. They didn't do the work of God.
John 6:28Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
The sobering reality that Jesus is painting is that even if you're doing works, wonderful works, but you don't believe in the Son, you are practicing lawlessness. If you're looking at your works for entrance you will be sorely let down. Because only one is righteous, Jesus Christ, and we must be joined with Him to be righteous.
C.
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P
Agreed. I've always read these verses as a sobering reminder. It's easy to feel secure and have a false assurance of our salvation if we evaluate our faith based on our zealousness for religious things and our commitment to advancing the Christian faith. It's easy to equate fervor and zeal as true love for God. Often times, I think Christians are more committed to and in love with the idea of Christ than they are with Christ himself. I don't think it's a bad idea to take a step back at times and prayerfully examine our hearts and motives. If we realize that we are harsh and lacking in love towards others, then perhaps that is indicative of deeper issues. We should be demonstrating meekness and not a desire for contention.
Even people that claim Christ can still be tempted by the flesh to speak from that perspective,which comes hatefulness,jealously,envy,pride,and the such,and there is so much debating that people get tired of it,and get short with each other,and all I can say is help me Lord not to be like that.
But love works no ill towards their neighbor;therefore love is the fulfilling of the law,but love does not act unseemly,suffers long,not arrogant,not selfish,not easily provoked,thinks no evil thought,and anyone that falls short by treating people in a wrongful manner according to the flesh,and not the Spirit,is doing wrong at that time.Love would not be back biting,not gossiping,cutting no one down,but posting scriptures,by the Spirit,leave it at that,and not any input from the flesh.
But a lot speak from the input of the flesh,and not the Spirit,and like the disciples said,we are men of like passions as you,so we can all be vulnerable to it,and I do not want to act like I am better.
God in the Old Testament said to love,and even feed and clothe your enemies,but without the Spirit they could not love people perfectly.That is why it is a new commandment in the New Testament,for by the Spirit we can love people perfectly.
Love is the fulfilling of the law,and follow peace with all people,with holiness,without which we shall not see the Lord,and without love we are nothing,and anything less than that love,no dwell with Jesus.
But love works no ill towards their neighbor;therefore love is the fulfilling of the law,but love does not act unseemly,suffers long,not arrogant,not selfish,not easily provoked,thinks no evil thought,and anyone that falls short by treating people in a wrongful manner according to the flesh,and not the Spirit,is doing wrong at that time.Love would not be back biting,not gossiping,cutting no one down,but posting scriptures,by the Spirit,leave it at that,and not any input from the flesh.
But a lot speak from the input of the flesh,and not the Spirit,and like the disciples said,we are men of like passions as you,so we can all be vulnerable to it,and I do not want to act like I am better.
God in the Old Testament said to love,and even feed and clothe your enemies,but without the Spirit they could not love people perfectly.That is why it is a new commandment in the New Testament,for by the Spirit we can love people perfectly.
Love is the fulfilling of the law,and follow peace with all people,with holiness,without which we shall not see the Lord,and without love we are nothing,and anything less than that love,no dwell with Jesus.
The key word is NEVER in Matt 7:23, Jesus says to those who have done great ministries in His name, I NEVER knew you. Jesus here is describing people who are following a false spirit and believing it to the Holy Spirit. We have quite a lot of this today, specially in the Pentecostal movement, people who are following a false Jesus, proclaiming a false gospel, and following a false spirit. Jesus said that He never knew them ,because He never knew them, they had been following a false spirit and believing that spirit to be the Holy Spirit. I am thinking of two particular women of the past who had huge Christian ministries, I studied their lives very carefully and it really does appear that they were following a deceiving spirit and not the Holy Spirit of God.
Hello samuel23,
Actually, the key words are "Did we not." These very words reveal why these types of people will not enter into the kingdom of God. And we have had plenty of them show up here.
Those in the verse by saying "did we not" reveals that they are trusting in their own works: "Did we not prophecy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name do many miracles?" We are not saved by efforts, but by trusting in Christ as the One who provided salvation for us.
Anyone who tries to enter in by saying, "but Lord, didn't I" won't be getting in. You could replace the above with whatever other works people are attempting to perform as a means of earning their salvation. But Lord, Lord! Did we not keep the Sabbath on Saturday, and abstain from eating certain foods and didn't we keep the ten commandments?"
Christ met the righteous requirements of the law, perfectly and completely, rescuing us from the law. For the law gives sin its power. We died to the law and are therefore free from it.
"For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one (Jew and Gentile) and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees.
That word in scripture above translated "abolishing" is defined as the law being made completely inoperative.
Actually, the key words are "Did we not." These very words reveal why these types of people will not enter into the kingdom of God. And we have had plenty of them show up here.
Those in the verse by saying "did we not" reveals that they are trusting in their own works: "Did we not prophecy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name do many miracles?" We are not saved by efforts, but by trusting in Christ as the One who provided salvation for us.
Anyone who tries to enter in by saying, "but Lord, didn't I" won't be getting in. You could replace the above with whatever other works people are attempting to perform as a means of earning their salvation. But Lord, Lord! Did we not keep the Sabbath on Saturday, and abstain from eating certain foods and didn't we keep the ten commandments?"
Christ met the righteous requirements of the law, perfectly and completely, rescuing us from the law. For the law gives sin its power. We died to the law and are therefore free from it.
"For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one (Jew and Gentile) and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees.
That word in scripture above translated "abolishing" is defined as the law being made completely inoperative.
I think you missed the point somewhat. Jesus was saying that there would be pseudo christians who would have great ministries, healings, casting out demons, and on and on, who are very spiritual people... the problem is that they are following a FALSE SPIRIT, believing that spirit to be the Holy Spirit. This is something that is actually happening today.
E
I see it a different way, I think he was saying there would be people who came to Christ with their works, and saying here you go God I did all these great things for you. And Jesus will flat out tell them, HE NEVER KNEW THEM, SO many people will think they will get to heaven based on how good they were, or the works they did. And miss out because when it came down to it, they trusted in their WORKS for salvation. Not in the grace of God.
In regards to Matthew 7:21-23, I'll never forget, prior to my conversion several years ago, while still attending the Roman Catholic church, I read Matthew 7:22 and thought to myself, wow! These many people accomplished all of that, "prophesied in His name, cast out demons, and did many wonderful works" but that still was not "good enough?" Then I thought to myself at that time, how am I going to "top that" and be "good enough?" Such is the mindset of someone who believes that salvation is by works.
Matthew 7:21 - Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
John 6:40 - For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.
These many people (unbelievers) in Matthew 7:22 had the wrong foundation. They were trusting in their works to save them and NOT IN CHRIST ALONE. Jesus NEVER knew them which means they were NEVER saved. Their hearts were not right with God, so their attempted external obedience was stained with sin. *Seeking salvation by works is not the will of the Father.
John 17:3 - And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. The term "know" implies intimate, experiential knowledge, through a relationship with Him, not merely theoretical knowledge. These many people were not true converts.
Without faith it's impossible to please God no matter how many alleged wonderful works that these many people set out to conjure up through the flesh. This is why Jesus referred to them as WORKERS OF INIQUITY/LAWLESSNESS! They were self righteous. There are false prophets who prophecy in the name of Jesus and even make false prophecies.
Also, Satan may grant the power to one of his agents to cast out demons from another of his agents in order to gain attention and loyalty from an audience for his evil agenda. False teachers and false prophets have long demonstrated supernatural power granted by Satan, including the power to control the demonic realm. The enemy uses this deception to win an audience for his claims.
Also, in Matthew 10:1, we also see that Jesus gave His 12 disciples power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. This would include Judas Iscariot, yet Jesus referred to Judas Iscariot as an unclean devil who would betray Him! (John 6:71; 13:10-11). Apparently, Judas believed that Jesus' name has the power to cast out demons but did not truly believe in His name (John 1:12) and become a child of God, but instead was the son of perdition (John 17:12).
Matthew 7:21 - Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
John 6:40 - For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.
These many people (unbelievers) in Matthew 7:22 had the wrong foundation. They were trusting in their works to save them and NOT IN CHRIST ALONE. Jesus NEVER knew them which means they were NEVER saved. Their hearts were not right with God, so their attempted external obedience was stained with sin. *Seeking salvation by works is not the will of the Father.
John 17:3 - And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. The term "know" implies intimate, experiential knowledge, through a relationship with Him, not merely theoretical knowledge. These many people were not true converts.
Without faith it's impossible to please God no matter how many alleged wonderful works that these many people set out to conjure up through the flesh. This is why Jesus referred to them as WORKERS OF INIQUITY/LAWLESSNESS! They were self righteous. There are false prophets who prophecy in the name of Jesus and even make false prophecies.
Also, Satan may grant the power to one of his agents to cast out demons from another of his agents in order to gain attention and loyalty from an audience for his evil agenda. False teachers and false prophets have long demonstrated supernatural power granted by Satan, including the power to control the demonic realm. The enemy uses this deception to win an audience for his claims.
Also, in Matthew 10:1, we also see that Jesus gave His 12 disciples power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. This would include Judas Iscariot, yet Jesus referred to Judas Iscariot as an unclean devil who would betray Him! (John 6:71; 13:10-11). Apparently, Judas believed that Jesus' name has the power to cast out demons but did not truly believe in His name (John 1:12) and become a child of God, but instead was the son of perdition (John 17:12).
Many think they please God by their works, especially when they take others to school with their great knowledge.
So many miss the point of serving God. It's not WHAT we do. but HOW we do it.....& WHY we do it..... & WHO we do it for.
Jesus said in a nutshell, "You name me as your LORD, but you don't know me". Why? While they may actually have done "good works", they didn't do them with the right motivation. They may have have actually done them because they HAD to, not because they WANTED TO. "Keeping the letter of the law".
It's our motivation that drives us to accomplish great things..... but WHAT motivates you? WHO motivates you?
The scribes & pharisees were motivated with the idea of being seen & lifted up by men. They didn't know God.
The point is, we're NOT doing God's will, no matter how well we do it, if we're NOT DOING IT GOD'S WAY! They didn't know God because they didn't know how to do things God's way!
IMO, Jesus is trying to teach us about TRUE LEGALISM.....
No matter what you believe, & no matter how strong you believe it, if you don't know God's intentions & purpose, you're still not doing it right. And you're a legalist for doing it any other way but God's.
That's one of the reasons I have no respect whatsoever for those who say "I'm graced & you're a legalist", because their methods/fruit prove they don't know Jesus.
Lying, deceiving with straw man arguments, accusing with over-the-top accusations to make themselves look "right" & "good", Stating one-verse wonders, twisting the scriptures to serve their agenda, making others look bad, making themselves look good, justifying their sin, even bearing false witness on God Himself, stating how He no longer holds us accountable for our sins.
MOTIVES determine the fruit we bear. They can win all the arguments, but their fruit will still tell on them.
So many miss the point of serving God. It's not WHAT we do. but HOW we do it.....& WHY we do it..... & WHO we do it for.
Jesus said in a nutshell, "You name me as your LORD, but you don't know me". Why? While they may actually have done "good works", they didn't do them with the right motivation. They may have have actually done them because they HAD to, not because they WANTED TO. "Keeping the letter of the law".
It's our motivation that drives us to accomplish great things..... but WHAT motivates you? WHO motivates you?
The scribes & pharisees were motivated with the idea of being seen & lifted up by men. They didn't know God.
The point is, we're NOT doing God's will, no matter how well we do it, if we're NOT DOING IT GOD'S WAY! They didn't know God because they didn't know how to do things God's way!
IMO, Jesus is trying to teach us about TRUE LEGALISM.....
No matter what you believe, & no matter how strong you believe it, if you don't know God's intentions & purpose, you're still not doing it right. And you're a legalist for doing it any other way but God's.
That's one of the reasons I have no respect whatsoever for those who say "I'm graced & you're a legalist", because their methods/fruit prove they don't know Jesus.
Lying, deceiving with straw man arguments, accusing with over-the-top accusations to make themselves look "right" & "good", Stating one-verse wonders, twisting the scriptures to serve their agenda, making others look bad, making themselves look good, justifying their sin, even bearing false witness on God Himself, stating how He no longer holds us accountable for our sins.
MOTIVES determine the fruit we bear. They can win all the arguments, but their fruit will still tell on them.
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