Works of Righteousness
Matthew 7: 21-23
“Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 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? And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”
Jesus continues an honest mentoring relationship with his disciples. He hits the heart of the matter in this discourse. He continues to teach them about the Kingdom of God and how to live a life of integrity. He teaches them through the Pharisee's lives, how they shouldn't live. He said on many occasions, “Don’t Be Like.” The comparison is between his chosen disciples and the Pharisees who are sinful in nature and hypocrites disguised as truth-tellers. They appear godly, but they deny God's revealed truth. God’s will is that no man should perish, but that all would have everlasting life. Salvation is the will of the Father through Jesus’ redemption. He said: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life no man comes to the Father except through Me (John 14:6). The Pharisees denied that Jesus was God’s son and therefore, created their own path to righteousness. They thought they could prove their salvation by their works. They also continually questioned Jesus' teachings and authority. They practiced the law, but were lawless in character. So they deceived many with their works and because of this, they will be judged.
Jesus conveys to the Pharisees, “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? And then I will declare to them ‘I never knew you…” As they disregarded God’s son on earth; he will also deny them in heaven. However, on that day, they will claim his Lordship as Christ, the anointed Son of God. They will also try to prove that they abided by the law; however, their works will come up short in comparison to Jesus' perfection. God will separate His sheep from the goats (Matt 25:33). The Bible says that all will bow before King Jesus and all will confess that He is Lord of all (Phil. 2:10). Knowing people by their fruit is having an understanding that the Spirit of God lives in them (Eph 1:13-14). Works are great when they model the compassion of Jesus. However, man cannot gain God’s favor by his works (Eph. 2:10). On the throne, Jesus will declare man’s works as useless. He will say, I do not know you!
What is God’s Will for His People:
1.We must pray for and have compassion for the lost so that they will be saved (1 Tim. 2:1-2).
2. We must continue to work while it is day, so that those who are without faith in Christ, will come to repentance of their sins (1 Tim. 2:4).
3. We must model Jesus: Live lives set apart to please God (1 Tim. 2:3, Rom. 12:2).
The Pharisees did not have the heart of God. They denied the very being of Christ. They challenged his authority and his claims as God’s son. They had a works-based salvation which only led others astray. The laws that they imposed, they could not keep themselves. We must be careful that we are not like them. We must always give praise to Jesus Christ, for what he has done for us.
Thank you, Jesus, for purchasing our salvation! Convict the hearts of those who believe that their works will save them. Draw them by your Holy Spirit. Help us to be witnesses of the cross and to live lives that are set apart for the kingdom of God. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Encourage and Be Encouraged