Not Everyone Who Says Lord, Lord

 Not Everyone Who Says Lord, Lord...

An Example of False Doctrine.

 

Since the beginning of Christianity there has been a battle between Faith and Works, in regards to salvation.

The same arguments exist today as existed back when Paul and the other apostles wrote. 

A careful reading of the scriptures show that there is no argument between the apostles and Jesus on the fact that we are saved by grace through faith, not by works lest anyone should boast.

It is said over and over again. It is shown that humans are sinners with a corrupted nature, we cannot please God. All our works are filthy rags. 

We need Jesus. The only thing we can do, is believe the Word God gives us and turn to Him. We confess Jesus is the Lord and believe God raised Him from the dead. (Romans 10:9-10)

But, the argument continues because those who support a works based doctrine use verses such as this verse from Jesus.

"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."---(Matthew 7:21)

They use this verse to bully people into obeying false doctrines of works.

Basically, they are saying that confessing Jesus as Lord, is not good enough. You must do more works. 

Then, when you ask what else you need to do. They will give you all kinds of things to do, or some vague nonsense that keeps you guessing.

The last days will be full of false teachers and false doctrine. 

There are two types of false doctrine. Either they claim Jesus is not Lord. or they claim a salvation through works doctrine. Which cuts Jesus out of the equation. You are saving yourself by doing works, not fully trusting Christ. Both of these are false.

Any mixture of works and grace is false.  Grace mixed with Works destroys grace.

Now if you keep reading the verse in Matthew you will find the truth.

 "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.

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?---(Matt. 7:21-22)

As you can see. These people on Judgement Day, when Jesus returns are calling Him Lord...But, have not really believed He is Lord, and have not submitted to Him. They still believe they are saved by their own works. They never accepted the Gospel. They practiced religion and tried to save themselves.

These are the false teachers, who face eternal darkness forever. (Jude 1) They were never saved because they did not give themselves to Christ for salvation.

They practice religion. Not relationship, because they don't know Him, and therefore have no relationship.

But, let's go a step further, because Jesus states it perfectly.

"Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."--- (John 6:28-29)

So, when the false teachers claim a works based doctrine by using the verses like this one from Matthew and stating we are not saved unless we do "the will of the Father in heaven". Just remember that Jesus plainly states that the works of God is to "believe on him whom he hath sent". 

In other words, putting your faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Confessing Him as Lord and He alone for salvation, is the works of God.

The battle between faith based salvation and a works based salvation has been raging for over 2000 years.

James says "faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." (James Chapter 2)

But...

Paul says "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.---(Romans 10:9-10)

Is not confessing with the mouth a work? So we have faith and works at play in this verse.

Paul and James do not disagree. They agree.

It is the false teachers who disagree with the Gospel and the Word of God.  They demand obedience to the law. They demand obedience for salvation.

But, they do not understand that...

We obey by turning to God. We obey by confessing Jesus is the Lord. We obey by Faith in Jesus, We obey by Communion. We obey by Baptism. We obey by telling others about Jesus. We obey by being Spirit led. We obey by Love. We obey by Grace.

These are the works that we do through Him. Not by our own.

Praise Jesus.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

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