Reflections on the Scariest Passage in the Bible

[saint701]

Hello Christianity Oasis, All...

Blessings!

Ref: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/arti ... the-bible/

Many questions surround the scariest passage in the Bible and many from around the world have endeavored to explain how such things can be. I'm speaking of course of this passage, Matthew 7 verses 21-23. ([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.
[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?
[23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.) KJV/University of Michigan Press...and unless otherwise stated all Bible references in this article are KJV/UM Press.

I was browsing Facebook posts last night when I came across the one referenced above...at first my thought was to just scroll on, not giving it much respect, then on second thought gave it a lot of respect and began researching articles online about it. That's when I came upon the one referenced above, How to Process the Scariest Passage in the Bible. In it the author, Justin Dillehay (MDiv, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary), makes a strong case that the most compelling question, we, as believers, should ask ourselves, is this...does Jesus know us? But I would argue that the most compelling question in the passage is, "What is the will of our Father?" "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."

Simply put, the will of the Father is this. John.6 [29] Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. Such is our starting point. What does it mean to believe on him who God has sent? Now some would argue that if we discuss belief in a commentary such is MERE BELIEVISM. But I would argue that where our salvation is concerned it is everything from the beginning of our walk with God... to the Glory that awaits us in The Kingdom of Heaven! This is work you do... God has commanded us, believe on Him whom God has sent!

Some would also argue that mere mental assent that Christ came in the flesh and died for our sins is enough to attain unto the Glory of God. How rediculous! If that was the case there would be no need for Jesus to proclaim His Words in Matthew 7: 21-23 at all. So then what is an example of the kind of belief a person needs to have to become a Born Again Spirit Filled Believer in Christ Jesus? For a child...say between the ages of 7 to 12, exactly what Paul asks us to do, "Rom.10 [9] 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." But for an adult in need of repentance, even if they were saved and baptized as a child, the faith of Abraham is required to revive them, that though they be dead in trespasses and sins God is still able to save them, the archetype being found in Abraham's son Isaac, who Abraham believed God would raise from the dead, hoping against hope, even though he be sacrificed on the altar of God. (Rom.4
[18] Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.) Such is the strength of the BELIEF needed to be Born Again of the Spirit. It is the belief that God is able to do what is humanly impossible.

But what of those Jesus rebukes saying of them that they work iniquity? Please notice what works they list as the basis for Christ to receive them as His own..."have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?" They do not say, but Lord, we have obeyed you. We have gone into all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
[20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. In this, are not those that work iniquity disobedient, not doing the will of God the Father? Absolutely!

Furthermore, scripture establishes this fact about our work in the Lord...we can do nothing without Him! The workers of iniquity above claim they have done many wonderful works in no way glorifying God for their deeds. (John.15
[5] I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.)

But let us examine the entire passage Matthew 7: 21-23 is imbedded in. Matthew 7:
[15] Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
[16] Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
[17] Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
[18] A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
[19] Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
[20] Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
[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.
[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?

Pay special attention to the phase our Lord uses to ask the question, " Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Where did our Lord get that? And why did He refer to it? Let's take a look at the Fall of Adam and Eve wherein the Lord our God says to Adam and Eve, "Genesis 3: [17] And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
[18] Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

It is clear to me that the workers of iniquity in Matt.7: 21-23 are still under the curse of the law, and instead of bringing forth good fruit out of Christ Jesus, their fruit corresponds to thorns and thistles. Therefore, we conclude of them that they haven't ever believed on our Lord Jesus to the saving of their souls.


Blessings!
Love, In Christ Jesus, Saint701.