I like to think I’m a good Christian, then I read Matthew 7:21-23 and it terrifies me.
- 21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.
- 22On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’
- 23But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
It’s worth remembering Ephesians 2:8-10 here (emphasis mine):
- 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
- 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
- 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Context is critical when interpreting the Bible. John 6:40 reveals God’s will through Jesus’ own words (emphasis mine):
- 40 “For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.“
We need to do the works that God has prepared for us, but always remember it is our faith alone that saves us.
Also see James 2 for an analysis on James’ comment that “faith without works is dead”.
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