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Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Does Jesus condemn people for their good works?

A Protestant said:
In Matt. 7:22-23, We see an account where Jesus condemns people on the day of judgment. Why would they be condemned? They were appealing to their faith in Christ and their works for their salvation. By adding any works into the active salvation, it means that the work of God is not sufficient but that needs to be perfected, completed by human effort. This is why salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. It cannot be by faith and any of our works.
I wonder,  how can they get it so twisted?  What I do know is that Scripture prophecies that this will happen:

2 Peter 3:15-16King James Version (KJV)
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 
Let's look at Matt 7:21-23 with a little more care:

21 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.
This can be understood to mean that simply considering oneself a Christian is not sufficient to enter heaven.  It is Christians who admit that Jesus is Lord.  Yet, unless they do the will of the Father, they will not be admitted into heaven.

This directly contradicts the Protestant teaching that says, "All you need to do is confess Christ and you will be saved."

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?
Now, these people have the impression that they can judge their own souls.  They recount to Jesus that good which they claim to have done.  Yet, Jesus casts them out.

That directly contradicts the idea that one can declare himself saved, whether by their claim to having faith or by their claim to anything else they have done.  Christ is the Judge.  Not anyone else.

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
 So, unless you do the will of the Father, you will be cast into the Lake of fire.



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