Mt 7:21 Does this mean we must have works also?

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TabinRivCA

Well-known member
Oct 23, 2018
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#21
Good question.

Well, it would be helpful if we have a verse declaring what the Will of God is. 1 Thess 4:3 is one such: "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:" So the Will of God is our sanctification, that we abstain from all immorality. My opinion is that those mentioned did not do this, i.e. they lived in immorality and didn't do God's Will.

So, how did they work miracles? Well, the Lord Himself never says they worked miracles, but rather they claimed to do it. Maybe like those mentioned in Acts 19, they attempted to do it, but never did it successfully: "13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” 14 Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. 15 But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?”

Now, these seven sons of Scaeva never gave their life to the Lord, nor did His Will. They merely saw that Christians were doing mighty works in the Name of Our Lord Jesus (also kinda like Simon Magus in Acts 8:19-20), and attempted to copy them. But the Lord of course knew their heart, and so was never pleased with them.

That's my understanding. God Bless.
'Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

I know we aren't saved just by works but what I didn't understand is Mt 7:26, where Jesus states the ones that didn't put the Word into practice won't make it. Take these Scriptures Mt 25:25-30
25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’
26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
I assume the one who buried the $ instead of profiting it someway, wasn't in the will of God and was sent to everlasting punishment?
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
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#22
Yes. Dad jokes are great.
But what would really help; that i would open this forum and read a thread in which no one is trying to add to or take away from the Gospel and salvation.
Well...if you put 10 Christians in a room and ask them to explain a passage you'll get 11 explanations. So good luck with that.
I'm always open to learning so if you feel I've misrepresented the scripture feel free to offer correction. I just ask that you would do it respectfully.
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
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#24
Yes. Dad jokes are great.
But what would really help; that i would open this forum and read a thread in which no one is trying to add to or take away from the Gospel and salvation.
Having faith in all Christ tells us, faith enough to act on his instructions, is not adding to or taking away from and gospel.
 

montana123

Well-known member
Oct 9, 2021
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#25
Not every one that said to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven.

What do you think the message is here? 'He/she that does the will of my Father' means what?, if we don't need works. Jesus is saying this btw.
Jesus told the rich man in order to receive salvation he had to sell all that he had and give to the poor and then he would be perfect.

The early Church sold all that was not a necessity and laid the money at the apostles feet and the money went to those that had need.

Paul said out of faith, hope, and charity, love in action, that charity is the greatest.

And faith works by love.

Love is greater than faith and it can only apply in a person's life if they have works of love which is helping people with their needs financially and wherever they need help.

If a person does not have love then faith does not apply in their life.

Paul said he could have all faith so that he could remove mountains but if he did not have charity then he is nothing.

Paul said that if anyone thinks living for God is gain which is monetary and material things withdraw yourselves from them having food and clothing be content.

For the love of money is the root of all evil for it neglects the poor and needy which love is the fulfilling of the law which is to also help them with their needs which if they covet after money they have erred from the faith.

Anyone that goes by their wants neglects the poor and then they lack in love because people are more important than the saints having their wants.

James pointed out feeding and clothing the poor which is charity, love in action, works, which if they have the means to feed and clothe people and they do not do it then their faith is dead.

Which he said a person is justified by works and not faith alone which those works are works of love.

If a person does not have works of love then faith does not apply in their life.

Love is greater than faith.

People argue over Paul and James but they both say the same thing which is to have charity or their faith is void which Paul said they erred from the faith and James said their faith is dead.

John said if a person has the means to help the poor and needy and they do not do it then the love of God does not dwell in them so do not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed, works, and in truth.

John says the same thing as Paul and James.

We are saved by faith, and not by works, when we first confess Christ for that is all we can do and none of our works according to the flesh can save us.

But when we are saved and receive the Spirit then we have to have works of love to have faith active in our life.

Paul is not saying we do not have to have works after we are saved but saying when we first confess Christ and are saved we are not saved by works for all we can do is have faith.

When we confess Christ and receive the Spirit then we have to have works which are works of love which is caring about the needs of people for love is the fulfilling of the law and love can only apply in a person's life if it is done in works which is charity.

Charity is greater than faith and faith works by love.
 

Beckie

Well-known member
Feb 15, 2022
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#26
All you need do is read the verse in context to see that their belief in justification by works is what doomed these people..

(Matthew 7:21-23) "¶ 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."

These people will be trying to justify their place in eternity by their Works..

What is the will of My Father.. To believe Jesus and to trust in the Atonement Jesus secured for my salvation on the cross..
Joh 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
Joh 6:36 But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.
Joh 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
Joh 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
Joh 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
Joh 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
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#27
What do you think the message is here? 'He/she that does the will of my Father' means what?, if we don't need works. Jesus is saying this btw.
Christians are saved "unto good works" (Eph 2:10). So good works do not save, but provide proof that we are saved.

Abraham was justified by grace through faith while he was still "Abram" (Gen 15). But his obedience to God in sacrificing Isaac was proof that Abraham trusted God totally (Gen 22). James classifies this as a "good work" and even says that Abraham was "justified" through his obedience. But that could only mean justified in the eyes of men.

Abraham even believed that had he killed Isaac, God would have resurrected him immediately. Why? Because God had already promised that millions would come into the world through Isaac -- the son of promise. Did God "tempt" Abraham or did He "test" him? Obviously that was a test of his faith. And Jesus (God, as the Angel of the LORD) stopped Abraham in the nick of time, and then blessed him mightily.
 

Komentaja

Active member
Jul 29, 2022
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#28
All you need do is read the verse in context to see that their belief in justification by works is what doomed these people..

(Matthew 7:21-23) "¶ 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."

These people will be trying to justify their place in eternity by their Works..

What is the will of My Father.. To believe Jesus and to trust in the Atonement Jesus secured for my salvation on the cross..
It really wasn't.

What really doomed these people is what the verse says, nothing about trusting in works in there.

What does the verse say? Depart from me......... YE THAT WORK INIQUITY. What is iniquity? There you go. So these people were the type that did all the bells and whistles but couldn't help from going to the bars every saturday, then going to sing and praise on sunday. Couldn't help commiting iniquity ALL WEEK, only to pull up to church on sunday and praise Jesus about how great grace is.
 

TabinRivCA

Well-known member
Oct 23, 2018
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#29
Yes. Dad jokes are great.
But what would really help; that i would open this forum and read a thread in which no one is trying to add to or take away from the Gospel and salvation.
What is the example here in this Thread, please enlighten us.
 
L

Locoponydirtman

Guest
#30
Well...if you put 10 Christians in a room and ask them to explain a passage you'll get 11 explanations. So good luck with that.
I'm always open to learning so if you feel I've misrepresented the scripture feel free to offer correction. I just ask that you would do it respectfully.
Probably 25 explanations but who is counting. Lol.
 

HealthAndHappiness

Well-known member
Jul 7, 2022
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Almost Heaven West Virginia
#31
Not every one that said to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven.

What do you think the message is here? 'He/she that does the will of my Father' means what?, if we don't need works. Jesus is saying this btw.
Hi Tabin,

I understand how you would like clarity on this . Lots of us do.
It's a passage that's often misunderstood because those who teach that God's work on the cross for salvation isn't enough, like to add their own works. The context of this chapter 7 is in verse 15. Who is Jesus warning of?
False prophets/ preachers. They are wolves in sheep's clothing. They are disguised as christian pastors, for instance, but they are not truly God's messengers to the flocks.

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."

"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. "

What is the will of the Father for the lost?

Answer: "
And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day."

We see the Son of God right here in His Word the we read/see. We reject altogether what the false preachers say about heaven. They are lost wolves that appear as sheep. They act like sheep, look like sheep, and go to the same places as sheep, but they are wolves.
Wolves point us to our good works, behavior, giving ourselves and trusting ourselves. The good shepherd gave His own life for the sheep. He alone is who to put your trust in.

"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?"

There are many these days who tell you to "make Jesus Lord of your life."
That's a good work. It's a lie.
He is already Lord.
Many have even preached in the name of Jesus. As good a work that is, it doesn't pay for their sins.
They even cast out devils just like the TV preachers, and have done many wonderful works. We already know, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us." Titus 3:5
Casting out devil's are good works.
False preachers taught that it's by works of righteousness which we have done. Wolves will teach that you must do works to be saved or maintain salvation . Jesus does not respect men's works for salvation. He gets ALL of the credit. He did it all when He suffered for all sins and said, "It is finished." The third day, He took His life back again. Add ANYTHING to that and He deems them iniquity. Compare the pile of good works to His sacrifice and they are a pile of filthy rags, a bunch of iniquity. Jesus was high and lifted up on a cross. He was between God in heaven and mankind on earth.

"And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

Notice that Jesus never knew them to begin with. It wasn't that they didn't live up to a certain standard enough and started sinning. I guarantee that everyone who teaches that they quit sinning is a liar and the truth is not in them.

Here's some good news about all of this Tabin.
The clear salvation from God's Word


Blessings
 

TabinRivCA

Well-known member
Oct 23, 2018
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#33
I'm just trying to understand a few passages where judgment was so severe, like what was the reasoning behind this passage? In that the person was condemned because he knew what the Lord wanted but did it his own cowardly way? (this is my last one😃)

And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’
26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
 
L

Locoponydirtman

Guest
#34
I'm just trying to understand a few passages where judgment was so severe, like what was the reasoning behind this passage? In that the person was condemned because he knew what the Lord wanted but did it his own cowardly way? (this is my last one😃)

And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’
26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Thats an interresting one that i cant explain.
 

soberxp

Senior Member
May 3, 2018
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#35
In fact, you just need to be obedient like a sheep.
 

TabinRivCA

Well-known member
Oct 23, 2018
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#37
Thats an interresting one that i cant explain.
I can't either, I'm going to research it. I want to know why he was wicked through this allegory for the burying of the talents. Maybe they represent people and his holding on to it didn't gain anything.
 

Adstar

Senior Member
Jul 24, 2016
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#38
It really wasn't.

What really doomed these people is what the verse says, nothing about trusting in works in there.

What does the verse say? Depart from me......... YE THAT WORK INIQUITY. What is iniquity? There you go. So these people were the type that did all the bells and whistles but couldn't help from going to the bars every saturday, then going to sing and praise on sunday. Couldn't help commiting iniquity ALL WEEK, only to pull up to church on sunday and praise Jesus about how great grace is.
Iniquity is to believe in and promote the doctrine of works salvation.. It is people saying that this is the will of God when Gods will is not that.. Iniquity is preaching a stumbling stone works doctrine designed to cause people to have no faith that the atonement of Jesus wins for them eternal life..

Truly believing in and preaching false doctrine is far worse then going to bars and getting drunk..
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
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#39
Christ made it clear that when we accept Christ as our savior, our heavenly father and Christ wants us to repent of our sin and do our best to live the sin free life that we can only try to live. There is no where in the gospels that teaches an different.

It is Paul's instructions to us that are understood in error to instruct differently.

Here are the words of Jesus: John 14: 23-24 Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love Me does not keep My words. The word that you hear is not My own, but it is from the Father who sent Me.
 
Nov 26, 2021
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India
#40
Another passage on what the Will of God is from 1 Thess 5.

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

So 3 simple things are told to us: (1) Rejoice in the Lord always (2) Pray continually in the Spirit and (3) Always give thanks.

So let us do this and all will be well. This is God's will for us in Christ Jesus according to the passage. God Bless.