Matthew 7:21-23
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" (NIV)
There is a lot revealed in these verses. For example, on the day of judgment there will be people who were very religious, and who on earth appeared to be close to God, but who will not enter the kingdom.
Who is it that will enter the kingdom of God? John 3:16 gives us the answer:
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (NIV)
It is belief in Jesus Christ (as your Lord and Savior) that brings you into the kingdom. So why does Matthew 7:21 say that "he who does the will of my Father" will enter the kingdom? Is this a contradiction?
No, there is no contradiction. Jesus is talking about the visible result of believing in Jesus. We can never know for sure whether a person truly believes in Jesus or not. However, we can observe how people respond to Jesus. James 2:14 says:
"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?"
This is exactly what Jesus is talking about in Matthew. He is talking about people who claimed to have faith, but their actions (deeds) were not actions done in obedience to God. James 2:15 gives the example of a person who wishes a person in need well, but who actually does nothing about that person's physical needs. However, God has commanded us to help those who are less fortunate than us. Through his disobedience of God (not doing God's will) this person is showing that he does not truly believe in Christ and thus he will not enter the kingdom.
Labels: false converts, judgment
2 Comments:
The comparison is between two believers who do the same works, (same lifestyles), but one is rejected because they didn't do the Father's will.
Their are two types of believers that serve Christ like they do.
Some Christians receive baptism, and some do not believe it is necessary.
Thus, two types are created: a baptized believer, and non-baptized believer.
Jesus said: "Mark 16:16 (KJV)
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
The rejected believers failed to follow Christ in baptism. Jesus never knew them because they never followed him.
Serving Christ isn't the same as following HIM to the cross, wherein, one's death and resurrection is given in HIS name.
Sorry, to be so brief.
May God Bless,
Roger
Hi Roger, Thank you for your comment, although I must disagree.
The point seems to be that baptism is something that is commanded by God, it is the Father's will, for us to be saved.
Mark 16:16 says that those who believe and are baptised will be saved. That is a true statement. However, it is silent concerning those who believe and who are not baptised. It does not eliminate those who are not baptised from being saved. There are many, many verses that state we are saved by our belief (John 3:16) and that no works are involved (Ephesians 2:8,9 & Romans 11:6 for example).
We all fail to do the Father's will in many ways. Even as believers are are far, far from perfectly obeying God. This is called sin and it is our sin that condemns us to hell. Our justification from sin takes place at the point when we start to trust in Jesus, not at baptism... at the point at which we accept God's free gift of His Son dying to pay the penalty we owe for our sin. At that point our debt is paid. Nothing further needs to be done.
However, baptism is an important symbol of our union with Christ... in His death and resurrection.
Your Brother in Christ
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