Paula Fether Supporter Lifelong student of the scriptures

Salvation is by faith, but the 'goats' were depending on their works. They were what we might call "cultural Christians", playing the part but never actually putting their trust in Jesus as a personal conviction.

To be saved is to bear Jesus' name, not merely say "in Jesus' name". This is the meaning of "I never knew you", since they never bore his name. The 'sheep' did what they did because of their faith in & love for Jesus, while the 'goats' simply did the works, and seem to have neglected 'the least of these'; that is, their charity works were selective.

May 11 2025 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Mark Vestal Supporter Proud of nothing of myself. Freed by Christ who did it all!

Christ, while living on earth, was specifically addressing Israel at that time (Matt 10:5-6, Matt 15:24, Acts 11:19, Rom 15:8). Israel was still operating under covenant law, and during the time prior to "the revelation of the mystery" (Rom 16:25-27), which details what Christ crucified for us means.

Those in question of entering "the kingdom" are of the belief that it is by their own works of righteousness that will merit their entry. In doing so, they fail in recognizing God's righteousness, which is to lack what is first required, that being faith: 

Hebrews 11:6
"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

Their efforts are then considered works of "iniquity" or, "filthy rags", as they are done for more pride in themselves rather than from their lacking love for God:

Isaiah 64:6
"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."

The issue with the focus being placed on ourselves, rather than on God, became crystal clear through Christ crucified for us:

Rom 10:1-4
"Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth."

Christ, being "the image of the invisible God" (Col 1:15), and on His cross for the world (2 Cor 5:19), is THE display of God's righteousness, His grace, and His love for us.

Rom 5:6-8
"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

This visage of Him is our beacon of light that guides us away from ourselves in the flesh and spiritually towards God and new life in Christ.

Gal 6:8
"For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."

Those who remain lost today fail to recognize a need for God's love. They too have placed their faith in their own self-righteous efforts for pleasing God. It is this very instrument that Satan, "the god of this world" and his "ministers of righteousness" use to keep them from seeing the Light of God that shines in their blinded eyes of darkness: 

2 Cor 4:3-4
"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."

2 Cor 11:14-15
"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."

Eph 6:12
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

May 01 2025 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Savannah Wagnon Supporter

The Lord made a promise when he said, “If you say, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

Anyone who confesses the above will be saved, period.

May 04 2025 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

John Appelt Supporter

Matthew 7:21 is one of the verses that has troubled many people. Some think that it teaches that believers can lose their salvation if they fail to do the will of God. Others think that these were never saved at all but made a profession of faith. Still others believe that Jesus was teaching that only those who do the will of the Father are those who believe on Jesus and will be saved. There is another way to look at it.

This verse is part of the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7, which was a teaching by Jesus to His disciples. Comparing Matthew 5:1 to Matthew 8:1, Jesus left the multitudes to ascend the mountain and then returned to them. While He was on the mountain the disciples came to Him. That the audience consisted of disciples is verified by the many references to their Father in heaven which proves they believed on Jesus, John 3:16, and 6:47, and were following Him, their Teacher. Every bit of this lesson was to and about believers.

If this sermon or teachings were for believers, then Jesus was not instructing them how to be saved. In fact, the concepts He taught were about how to be a consistent and conscientious disciple and live the Christian life.

If this section, Matthew 7:21-23 is not about how to go to heaven, then it must signify something different. Jesus was referring to those who thought they had faithfully served Jesus, even doing great things in His name. Their problem was that according to Jesus, they had not been doing the will of the Father. Luke 6:46 makes it clear that they were not doing the things He said to do. Even though they got results, they were not obedient in doing the will of God. This is why Jesus condemns them as law breakers, ones energized by lawlessness.

The expected consequence is that Jesus must judge them accordingly. When Jesus said, “I never knew you, depart from Me…” it does not mean eternal punishment, but refusing to accept them for a role in His kingdom. If they did not recognize His authority on earth, why would He recognize them now? They are cast out of service in the kingdom. They will not be rewarded for faithfulness as others. This is the same principle borne out in the parable of the talents, Matthew 25:14-30. The unprofitable servant is not cast into hell, but out into the darkness outside the hall of judgment of believers and outside the favor of the Master they did not obediently serve.

The rest of the Sermon on the Mount emphasizes the need of believers to be doing the sayings of Jesus, building their Christian careers on the solid rock of obedience, Matthew 7:24-27.

The passage in question does not say that all Christians are not saved, but that not all Christians are serving in faithful obedience. Those not obeying the Lord and Master will lose out on rewards and privileges.

8 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Daniel Veler Supporter

Your question: What did Jesus mean when He said, “Not everyone who says, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven"?

Let’s read Matthew 7:23.

Matthew 7:23: “Not everyone 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?' And then will I profess unto them, 'I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.'”

The answer you seek is in the last verse. Here Christ tells them, “I never knew you.” Once you understand why Christ told them, “I never knew you,” then you’ll see why many will stand before the Lord proclaiming such deeds and still be rejected by Him.

3 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report