That is my understanding as well.
I just wondered at this statement of Christ. Time has run out for these people and it seems they have just figured this out. It doesn't seem to me that they were bragging of their works, rather, making the case for themselves given they now see what awaits them.
Jesus saw fit to use this as an example of "MANY" who come in His Name.
I am struck at their surprise. It appears from the actual text that they really believed they were saved. They taught in Christ's name, they healed in Christ's name, in fact, they gave Jesus the credit for nearly everything they did?
Yet, because they "worked iniquity" their worship was in vain, and because their time had run out, they didn't make it. Pretty serious stuff.
So because it is so serious, I looked up the Greek for the word "Iniquity" so I might better understand why Jesus rejected them.
Greek 458 "anomia" = violation of law, transgression of law, Lawless, without law, transgressor, unlawful, wicked.
So you preach that these "many" were not saved to begin with, and I can't argue that. But the fact that these "many" didn't know they were rejected of Christ until they got the Great Throne Judgment, that is frightening.
And given iniquity means law breaking, it appears that Jesus didn't care that they taught in His Name, healed people in His Name, did many wonderful works in His name. When it came to the final judgment, it was THEIR works that was the deciding factor, not the works of Jesus who said He didn't know them BECAUSE of their works.
And Paul seems to agree with Jesus:
Acts 26:
20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea,
and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God,
and do works meet for repentance.
So given these in Matthew were doing "works", they were preaching, healing, and doing many wonderful things in Christ's name, but since these did not include obedience to God's Laws, they were rejected.
Is it accurate to say the Works mentioned
that are worthy of repentance is obedience to God's laws?
I can think of nothing worse than to spend my life belonging to a church that "teaches in Christ's name", heals people of addictions and this life's evils, who feed and carry out missions all over the world just to find out in "that day", when it's to late to do anything about it, that because I "transgressed the commandments of God by my own church doctrines and traditions", that He doesn't even know me.
Anyway, I know you preach that we are not responsible to do anything regarding our salvation,
including being "lawful". That when we believe in Jesus, He takes over.
So How do you square this scripture you used to support that preaching?
I look forward to your response