Now I know why Jesus says there will be many on that day who will say "Lord, Lord, didn't we...." I'll say it again, anyone who puts themselves under the works of the law to keep as a means of personal effort as a requirement for salvation, will not enter into the kingdom of God. Those who are followers of Christ and who are not under the law, do not live according to the sinful nature, but are lead by the Spirit. The true person in Christ is trusting in Him as the One who fulfilled the law completely and fully bringing it to its end. Jesus did not come to perpetuate the law, but to fulfill it meeting its righteous requirements. I would suggest that you go back and reread the letter to the Galatians and Romans, because the Holy Spirit through Paul makes it quite clear that we are saved by grace through faith and this not of our own doing. It is the gift of God, not by works.
"Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
Hi there Ahwatukee!
I see you have interpreted Mt. 7:21-23 completely backwards.
Mt. 7:21-23 has Jesus casting religious people AWAY from Him....why? Because they exemplified lawlessness (see Gr. "anomia").
Not because they OBEYED the law!
Careful!
Jesus obeyed Torah.
We should imitate Jesus in that regards (Lk. 6:40, 1 Jn. 2:6).
blessings,
BibleGuy