Faith Alone
Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ (Matthew 7:22 NKJV)
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Matthew 7:21-23 NIV
This is an example of a popular Scripture that highlights the importance of not just believing but also doing the will of God.
Points to note
The people that Jesus was referring to:
1. Believed that Jesus is Lord
2. Had faith because they believed in the the Lordship of Jesus and His Significance
3. Had spiritual gifts
4. Did not do the will of God
Jesus told them that He did not know them because they did not do his will while on earth. Jesus wants to know us and He knows us by our commitment to Him and His will.
Reminder:
Faith alone is not enough, we must do the will of God to make heaven. Also, doing good works without believing that Jesus is Lord and that His blood saved us will not take us to heaven. Faith is vital but we must also express that faith in action or works to really prove that we have faith.
Just like the old song says, ” Trust and obey for there is no other way.”
Jesus constantly emphasized doing the will of God, building your life on the rock and abiding in His word and will. Belief and faith precedes obedience so we must believe because without faith it is impossible to please God. However, if we just believe and never obey, we are like the ones that heard the word of God but did not build their lives on it and when the winds and waves came, they crashed terribly.
May God help us to live above the deception of faith alone and, “it does not matter.” It matters – life style matters.
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Amen!
❤️🙏
Yes, amen! AND thankeep you for reminding me that oh-so- true and beautiful song.
Yes, it’s a true and beautiful song. Thanks for the lovely response. Blessings ❤️🙏
Matt. 7:21-23 became very important to me many years ago. As I began to recognize what was being said there, I was set on a life long journey of discovery and growing closer to God. There is much more behind Jesus’ words here then is initially apparent.
– We’d call the people being spoken to ‘Christians’, as you point out.
– Jesus does not say, “you don’t know me”, but “I never knew you!” This is backwards from most of our thinking.
– The word ‘evildoers’ is a very poor translation. The word there clearly means ‘lawless ones’.
This brings to the forefront some very important questions we should ask ourselves. First, why didn’t Jesus “know” them when they were apparently “on fire” for God? They seemed to be even putting their faith into action (doing miracles and such). Why does Jesus call them ‘lawless ones’?
I submit that as we learn to walk in His way (His law), He comes to know us and our hearts. The people Jesus is rebuking did not regard His law as something to be considered. They were making up their own rules and traditions, just as so many denominations do so today. It’s interesting to note that of all the things the people listed as things they have done, none are in God’s law as something that He wants us to learn. They are fruits of the Spirit living in us, given to us through the grace of God through Jesus. Yet those people were looking not at God’s will, but at ‘neat fruit’! They thought that they could come to God anyway they wanted to (without obedience).
You point out that we need to be obedient. You are so correct! In the Hebrew language, the word for ‘hear’ is an action word, not just meaning to listen. In Hebrew thought, if you don’t ‘do’ what you heard, then you didn’t listen.
– Yosef
This is such a deep and clear analysis on this subject. So many good points and reminders. I love your point about those people not regarding His law as something to be considered and making up their own rules and traditions just as many denominations do today. This is an eye opener to all of us to pay attention to God’s laws instead of making up our own. We must hear. May God help us as we cling to Him. Blessings ❤️❤️❤️🙏
Balance is very important in matters of faith. I like to think of a handkerchief spread out to collect certain fundamentals, teachings and practices as contained in scripture. Now to bundle them up means to pick up all four corners to tie together so none will spill. Whenever we are tempted to neglect some part, or tell ourselves and others that it doesn’t matter, we run the risk of spilling everything out. We have to have all of it, and hold them up in tandem.
Thanks for your post.
Thanks for this very enlightening comment. Balance is really the watchword. We must not be tempted to neglect some parts to the detriment of the other parts. So well said. Blessings 🙏❤️
James 2:19
“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”
Thanks for the insightful response and Scripture. The devils also believe. This drives the point home really well. The demons believe but they do not obey. Blessings ❤️🙏
Amen!!!!
❤️🙏
Amen!! Definitely re-blogging this! 😇
Thanks a lot for the response and re-blog. Blessings ❤️❤️❤️🙏
You are very welcome! Blessings back at ya! ❤️🙏
Amen❤️🙏
Beautiful
Thank you so much ❤️🙏
Thank you so very much for truth! Great post!
Thanks for the inspiring response. Grace and blessings to you always 🙏❤️❤️❤️
Thanks friend for the wonderful post.
Thank you so much for the inspiring response. Blessings 🙏❤️❤️❤️
Welcome. You are a blessing. God is with you.
Your post reminds me of this verse.
James 2:26 NASBS
For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. Thanks again for reminding us to act according to our call.
Yes, that verse throws more light to the subject. Thank you so much blessed friend for the Scripture and contribution. 🙏❤️❤️❤️
Welcome. My pleasure and privilege. Bless you in Jesus name. Amen.
🙏❤️👏
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Thanks a lot for the insightful contribution and link. I read the post “ Craving God.” A lot of people desire and crave benefits instead of God. When we crave to do the will of God, always like Jesus, all other things will be added to us.
May God’s grace help us to love Him and please Him always 🙏❤️