Not By Works

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

loveme1

Senior Member
Oct 30, 2011
8,086
190
63
The Lord states those that work iniquity will be told to depart..

What is iniquity?


I obviously have my beliefs but would like to hear what others think this refers to.

we know this type called Him Lord and did marvellous things in His name.. what then is their iniquity that means they are told to depart.

interested to see what others believe.

Thank you.
 

notmyown

Senior Member
May 26, 2016
4,730
1,146
113
iniquity is 'anomia'... lawlessness. an utter disregard for God.

their condemnation comes from these words: "I never knew you".
Christ is saying these were goats, not sheep. their sins had not been paid for by Him; they had not received atonement for them, though they 'worked' in His Name. the omniscient God knows their motives for doing the things they do, and knows who are His own and who are not.
 
P

PHart

Guest
The Lord states those that work iniquity will be told to depart..

What is iniquity?


I obviously have my beliefs but would like to hear what others think this refers to.

we know this type called Him Lord and did marvellous things in His name.. what then is their iniquity that means they are told to depart.

interested to see what others believe.

Thank you.
These people will be turned away for being lawless. Their's is an empty confession of faith that can not save. James calls it 'dead faith'--faith that has no works accompanying it to validate it as saving faith.
 
Last edited:

Rosemaryx

Senior Member
May 3, 2017
3,721
4,081
113
62
The Lord states those that work iniquity will be told to depart..

What is iniquity?


I obviously have my beliefs but would like to hear what others think this refers to.

we know this type called Him Lord and did marvellous things in His name.. what then is their iniquity that means they are told to depart.

interested to see what others believe.

Thank you.
Hi loveme1...Iniquity is willfully sinning...If we have a thought, and we act out that thought, then we are willfully sinning which also brings us deeper into the wages of sin...When we get to that point, we have hardened our hearts to God, in turn God will sear our hearts and then we face the wages of sin which is death, we become set apart...But like David when he willfully sinned, he turned to God with a Godly sorrow, he truly repented of his ways, turned his back on his willful sins, and God gave him his grace...
This is just my opinion from what I have learned, please correct me if you read I am wrong...I have up to this day turned my back on my past iniquity, the LORD has broken many chains \:)/, but I know there are sins that I am not aware of that Ii may commit through out the day, this is why I go to God in my prayers at night, and ask Him to show the error of my ways, and when He does, I thank Him for being so merciful to me, I admit I am wrong and He is right, and thank Him for loving me with His pure love, and for keeping me on the straight and narrow path :)...All the glory to Him praise the LORD...xox...
 

loveme1

Senior Member
Oct 30, 2011
8,086
190
63
iniquity is 'anomia'... lawlessness. an utter disregard for God.

their condemnation comes from these words: "I never knew you".
Christ is saying these were goats, not sheep. their sins had not been paid for by Him; they had not received atonement for them, though they 'worked' in His Name. the omniscient God knows their motives for doing the things they do, and knows who are His own and who are not.
Thank you for sharing.

I ask where do you find the explanation?

These folks called Him Lord but were unforgiven goats oppose to a forgiven sheep? Genuinely trying to hear other perception on the statement..

The iniquity is found because they were unbelieving? Did not Repent.. am I understanding you P-Momma? :)
 
May 11, 2014
936
39
0
These people will be turned away for being lawless. Their's is an empty confession of faith that can not save. James calls it 'dead faith'--faith that has no works accompanying it to validate it as saving faith.
This is true. But why dont you exegete the part where Jesus states I NEVER knew you. Not I used to know you, but you turned out to be lawless so now I do not know you anymore.
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
25,070
13,083
113
58
iniquity is 'anomia'... lawlessness. an utter disregard for God.

their condemnation comes from these words: "I never knew you".
Christ is saying these were goats, not sheep. their sins had not been paid for by Him; they had not received atonement for them, though they 'worked' in His Name. the omniscient God knows their motives for doing the things they do, and knows who are His own and who are not.
Amen! 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 28-29; 6:40).

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 and are workers of iniquity no matter how many "alleged" wonderful works that these many people in Matthew 7:22 set out to conjure up through the flesh. This is why Jesus referred to these unbelievers as WORKERS OF INIQUITY/PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS! These self righteous, unbelievers remain in their sin.
 

loveme1

Senior Member
Oct 30, 2011
8,086
190
63
These people will be turned away for being lawless. Their's is an empty confession of faith that can not save. James calls it 'dead faith'--faith that has no works accompanying it to validate it as saving faith.
Thank you Mr P Hart..

So the marvellous works were not of Faith? Because folks will say to you they had works.. yet they were told to depart.. so marvellous works in His name don’t save if you Work iniquity..

what do you think the will of His Father is for us?
 

loveme1

Senior Member
Oct 30, 2011
8,086
190
63
Hi loveme1...Iniquity is willfully sinning...If we have a thought, and we act out that thought, then we are willfully sinning which also brings us deeper into the wages of sin...When we get to that point, we have hardened our hearts to God, in turn God will sear our hearts and then we face the wages of sin which is death, we become set apart...But like David when he willfully sinned, he turned to God with a Godly sorrow, he truly repented of his ways, turned his back on his willful sins, and God gave him his grace...
This is just my opinion from what I have learned, please correct me if you read I am wrong...I have up to this day turned my back on my past iniquity, the LORD has broken many chains \:)/, but I know there are sins that I am not aware of that Ii may commit through out the day, this is why I go to God in my prayers at night, and ask Him to show the error of my ways, and when He does, I thank Him for being so merciful to me, I admit I am wrong and He is right, and thank Him for loving me with His pure love, and for keeping me on the straight and narrow path :)...All the glory to Him praise the LORD...xox...

Thank you Rosemary, you all are sharing your beliefs as I have mine.. time to relate to each other through Christ I say.. In our heart is Christ yet we may not articulate exactly the same if we all are One in Christ then we each are given a measure to share.. all will affirm what the Messiah taught for it is of no private interpretation.. each believer can come in Faith and share what Christ puts in their heart but it is common salvation.. all must Repent and Believe that we all agree.

So iniquity is willfull sin? Am I understanding you correctly?
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
25,070
13,083
113
58
These people will be turned away for being lawless. Their's is an empty confession of faith that can not save. James calls it 'dead faith'--faith that has no works accompanying it to validate it as saving faith.
In the case of these many people in Matthew 7:22, they had works, but just like the Pharisees, not genuine works of faith. Jesus NEVER knew them (Matthew 7:23) which means they NEVER had a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, as in John 17:3.
 

loveme1

Senior Member
Oct 30, 2011
8,086
190
63
In the case of these many people in Matthew 7:22, they had works, but just like the Pharisees, not genuine works of faith. Jesus NEVER knew them (Matthew 7:23) which means they NEVER had a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, as in John 17:3.

Tell us what works of Faith one must have for a saving relationship with Christ?
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
25,070
13,083
113
58
Tell us what works of Faith one must have for a saving relationship with Christ?
It's not about "what works" or "how many works" does it take to have a saving relationship with Christ. It's about works which are produced "out of" faith "from a saving relationship with Christ."
 

Rosemaryx

Senior Member
May 3, 2017
3,721
4,081
113
62
Thank you Rosemary, you all are sharing your beliefs as I have mine.. time to relate to each other through Christ I say.. In our heart is Christ yet we may not articulate exactly the same if we all are One in Christ then we each are given a measure to share.. all will affirm what the Messiah taught for it is of no private interpretation.. each believer can come in Faith and share what Christ puts in their heart but it is common salvation.. all must Repent and Believe that we all agree.

So iniquity is willfull sin? Am I understanding you correctly?
Well it is , it`s different from transgressing...Iniquity is planned, then acted out with no remorse, the conscience becomes harden to turn back to God and repent...I believe iniquity is like a 3rd stage of sin if that makes sense :confused:...When we sin, our conscience normally would tell us straight away that we have sinned against the Lord, so we turn to God and confess our wrong doing, and we are forgiving and washed clean in the living water, transgressing Ii think is the next step where people will climb over a fence that clearly says DO NOT CLIMB, but we climb anyway, and then once we climbed we are troubled so much that we can not help but turn back to God for cleansing and never to climb that fence again...

But iniquity I believe is the 3rd stage, where one and two have no effect on our mind, we do not take notice of God calling us back through His chastening, we ignore to the point we are now living in our own will, God has left us to ourselves, our hearts started with pebbles and then ended up as stone, it`s a terrible place to be, how can one turn back from that, I dont know, I would hate to think I would ever be in such a place, but it happens :( , forgetting our first Love...xox...
 

notmyown

Senior Member
May 26, 2016
4,730
1,146
113
Thank you for sharing.

I ask where do you find the explanation?

These folks called Him Lord but were unforgiven goats oppose to a forgiven sheep? Genuinely trying to hear other perception on the statement..

The iniquity is found because they were unbelieving? Did not Repent.. am I understanding you P-Momma? :)

they didn't repent and believe, yes. :)
their trust is in what they do, and not solely in the Person and Work of Jesus.

Romans 8:29
For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;

same Greek word used there, to know someone (ginṓskō, to know; but in this verse pró, beforehand, is added)

we are all guilty of iniquity, and if He should mark it, who would stand?
rhetorical question to which the answer is, nobody! ;)

but Psalm 32 and Romans 4: Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count His sin.

this only describes those who are in Christ. :)
 

Rosemaryx

Senior Member
May 3, 2017
3,721
4,081
113
62
It's not about "what works" or "how many works" does it take to have a saving relationship with Christ. It's about works which are produced "out of" faith "from a saving relationship with Christ."
It sure is...Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
 

notmyown

Senior Member
May 26, 2016
4,730
1,146
113
It's not about "what works" or "how many works" does it take to have a saving relationship with Christ. It's about works which are produced "out of" faith "from a saving relationship with Christ."
aaannnnd...

Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?”
Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” (Jn 6)

it's God's work! and it's perfect! :)
 

loveme1

Senior Member
Oct 30, 2011
8,086
190
63
It's not about "what works" or "how many works" does it take to have a saving relationship with Christ. It's about works which are produced "out of" faith "from a saving relationship with Christ."

Do you actually know what what it is first and foremost? It is believing... it is about Faith that worketh by Love by believing.. .....believing the Lord’s Testament.. Faith is something that grows.. GOD will keep and give increase when we believe... so if GOD said don’t eat from that tree.. and the tempter comes and states otherwise.. we can believe GOD and say no to the tempter.. thanks to the Victory we have in Christ.


If the Messiah tells us to Keep the Commandments and to love even our enemies.. GOD empowers and keeps us if we believe Him above all else... no reaching for a verse to misuse.. no.. Believe Him.. Be Faithful for He is Faithful always.

It is that many will say well.. did you sell all you have and give to the poor you must obey.. well I was tested many moons ago.. strengthened to overcome the world.. where you really can give all you have.. even if it is not just silver you have there is so much to give.. nothing in this world is worth more than making peace with your Creator.. let them offer you the whole world and you can say no way.. for we learn of True Treasure Which is to be forgiven and Reconciled with Heavenly Father through His Son... the Everlasting life is only worth having with Him.. for life without is pointless and I would not want to live forever without my First Love... 34 years on earth and not with Him is enough.. let alone eternity.. anyhow Peace and love to you all....

all Glory to Heavenly Father and our Lord and Saviour always and forever.
 

loveme1

Senior Member
Oct 30, 2011
8,086
190
63
aaannnnd...

Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?”
Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” (Jn 6)

it's God's work! and it's perfect! :)

Hebrews 12

22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
29 For our God is a consuming fire.






let us have Grace to serve GOD indeed through our Faith in our Lord.
 

loveme1

Senior Member
Oct 30, 2011
8,086
190
63
Thank you all for your kindness.. I have been humbled and refreshed by the Truth..

Really no man can boast.. for it is a gift of a Gracious GOD that saves us through our Faith.. unto His good works.. yes we will be judged according to what we do while under Grace at liberty.. and I do believe the Hear and do.. for the Lord spoke it so I believe Him always.