Not everyone that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven…
(Matthew 7:21)
(Matthew 7:21)
To our mind, this is the passage that points out the presumption of faith at its worst. Here Jesus was warning of false prophets. Notice that He did not refute their claims about the deeds done in His name. The problem was not false miracles, etc.; apparently these people did do what they said. However, the problem is seen in their response to Jesus’ refusal to accept them into heaven.
Notice what these “workers of iniquity” appealed to Jesus with: the works of power themselves. They did not confess love for Him; they did not recall their cry for salvation, or speak of their repentance, appealing to His mercy and grace.
They had the presumption of faith – they believed that because they did these wonderful works, that they were indeed on the right track. But doing “wonderful works” in God’s name does not mean we are doing God’s will. The Apostle Paul knew this (1 Corinthians 9:27). And doing the Father’s will is what is required – But he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Think about this: Judas Iscariot cast out demons, healed the sick, raised the dead, etc. He was given power by Christ to do so (Matthew 10:1-8). Yet John the Baptist did no miracle (John 10:41). Which one is in heaven?
So the question is about doing God’s will: It is obviously not doing great works, so what is it? For this is the will of God, even your sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:3). In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
There are many verses that point to the will of God, and they have more to do with the inner man, rather than the outer workings. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity (love), I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity (love), it profiteth me nothing (1 Corinthians 13:2-3). These poor souls of whom Jesus spoke had the power, but not the person, Jesus Christ. We must know Him personally; we must have a relationship with Him.
We must be changed on the inside – And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments (1 John 2:3). Commandments can be understood as “law”. The word “iniquity” in verse 23 of Matthew 7 is also translated “lawlessness”. It is dangerous to presume that because we do things in “faith” and we see results (manifestations) that we are doing God’s will. Instead of doing things “for the kingdom”, we should first be concerned with “the man in the mirror”. Do not accept blindly as fact the idea that because we purpose to do right that we are doing right by God’s standards.
22 comments:
evenso--
This is an interesting passage, and I see it especially come to life in light of a corolary passage of Matthew 25, the parable of the "sheep and the goats." It's interesting, verse 37 notes that the "righteous" will say, "Lord, when did we see you naked, hungry, in prison etc." These "righteous" were focused on fulfilling the "law" in order to bolster their own self-righteousness, while neglecting the true law of Christ which is manifest in being Christ (a servant) to the least of these. Therefore, even though they kept the "outward" law to the letter (for they are known as the "righteous"), they forsook the marginal, the outcast--all those for whom Christ came--in preference of the maintenance of their own systems of righteousness.
I think parables like these must continually reform the ways in which we conceptualize our faith, calling and mission as "Christs" to the world. It is so easy for Christian belief to devolve into a system of morality and ethics in which "faith" is manifest in maintaining an artificial system of moral precepts. While these are certainly apart of what being a Christian is about, our focus--as clearly articulated above by Jesus--must alight on being radical witnesses to the in-breaking of God's Kingdom in Heilsgeschichte, a Kingdom marked by compassion, mercy, radical self-giving love, and a commitment to seeing the Shalom of God manifest in our lives, communities and world. This, in my understanding, is the "law" which we are called to keep.
Exist - I think you got Matthew 25 totally backwards. In Scripture, only the saved are referred to as the righteous** for one thing. For another, it is those "righteous" that were feeding the poor, etc. They were not denying that they fed the poor, clothed the naked, etc. - their surprise was that in doing so they were ministering indirectly to Jesus Himself. Kind of like Saul being surprised that his persecution of Jesus' followers was in fact indirectly persecuting Christ.
The whole idea behind that parable in Matthew 25 is that the righteous WILL do righteousness - and those who don't know Jesus won't. Doing good to Jesus' brethren is equivalent to doing good to Jesus Himself.
**There are several places in Scripture that refer to those who think they have their own righteousness, and the context makes that plain: Isaiah 64:6 - also the statement that Jesus made, "I have not come to call the righteous (ie. those who think they are righteous in themselves), but sinners to repentance." In Matthew 25, Jesus Himself called those believers righteous - so it was not them claiming to be righteous, but the fact that they were righteous in Him. Jeremiah 23:6, the Lord Our Righteousness.
Jerry Bouey--
That is exactly what I said...
Righteousness is not found in keeping some external form of morality, but rather in doing the will of God. The "righteous" (those who keep the letter of the law out of self-pride, not humility to God) will be condemned, for in their pride to be "righteous," they have neglected to do the things which Christ has commanded them.
Just as Matthew 25 uses "righteous" in a polemical, almost sarcastic way, so was I. According to Jesus in this passage, the "righteous" are not those who, out of self-conceit, attain to the "perfection" of the law. Rather, it is those who become, like Christ, servants to all.
I see what you guys are both saying, allow me to connect.
Jerry is correct in saying that those who did the righteous acts didn't realize just whom they were actually serving. That is the point of the passage on its face.
exist~dissolve takes a look at it and says that they possibly understood other things as what made them righteous, not these things such as feeding the poor, etc.. Somewhat novel, perhaps, and more tangential, and some might say reading into more than drawing out from scripture. Still it seems consistent with the biblical witness that it is not the lawkeeping but serving that is more about the Law of Christ as the book of James talks about.
That being said, to be honest, I was thinking the same things as Jerry wrote as I first read your comment, exist~dissolve, so I am glad you further explained your first comment by your second. I doubt there would have been any misunderstanding if you had just posted it instead.
Ya'll--
Whew....seemingly a simple concept/principle to understand but then again, not.
I'm really getting alot from your exchanges.....thanks.
Righteousness is not found in keeping some external form of morality, but rather in doing the will of God. The "righteous" (those who keep the letter of the law out of self-pride, not humility to God) will be condemned,
Righteousness comes through faith in Christ alone - not through any of our good works. When we are trying to base our righteousness on our own good works, we will fail, as God says our own righteousnesses are as filthy rags in his sight.
Just as Matthew 25 uses "righteous" in a polemical, almost sarcastic way, so was I. According to Jesus in this passage, the "righteous" are not those who, out of self-conceit, attain to the "perfection" of the law. Rather, it is those who become, like Christ, servants to all.
I cannot see how you get some polemical or sarcastic usage of the term righteous out of that passage. Those that Jesus called righteous in Matthew 25 were the ones who were saved, the ones who served Him and ministered to His people (and Him through them), and the ones He gave His kingdom too (see verses 37 and 46). Those He excluded were not saved, BUT He never called them righteous there either, so I am not sure where you are getting your view on that passage.
Doh. My mistake. Actually, I did misinterpret the context in which "righteous" was used. I do, however, stand by the way in which I have spoken about "righteous" (despite my misapplication of the particular texts) as those who do not fulfill a particular system of morality, but rather do the will of God. Doing the will of God, in all actuality, is faith.
Oooh, not to gloat but I was right too. Seriously, thanks to exist for seeing that error. Thanks for Jerry sticking to his guns, and thanks to God for allowing me to see what was going on. Yes, all glory to God, of course!
Yeah, we were all wondering where you were getting that from, exist, but I think we all agree that serving others is serving Christ (Colossians 3:23, etc.), and that our only "good works" are done because of Christ. That is why, I believe, civil good, when not done for the glory of God, is not actual good. It is good in the sense that good is done toward man, but not as good in that they were not done with an eye toward God.
Don't want to open up another can o' worms here, but I appreciate your responses.
"righteous" as those who do not fulfill a particular system of morality, but rather do the will of God. Doing the will of God, in all actuality, is faith.
Hopefully this is not getting into that can of worms J.D. wanted to avoid.
Yes, faith is doing the will of God (finding out God's will from His Word and doing that).
We know positional righteousness comes only through faith in Christ and practical righteousness is based on our day by day walk. Are you saying someone can be practically righteous apart from obeying the commands in the Word of God (not necessarily referring to the law)?
For example, was there ever any OT saint who was called righteous that deliberately disobeyed God's law (as an ongoing way of life)? Was there any NT saint that did not walk according to the commands to the churches (for example) that was considered righteous?
jerry bouey--
We know positional righteousness comes only through faith in Christ and practical righteousness is based on our day by day walk.
I don't believe is "positional" righteousness. Christ came to make us like him, not simply by proxy, but like him in our own natures. There is nothing positional about that, only actual, practical and relational.
So what happens if you die before you achieve that? The Bible teaches we have Christ's righteousness credited to our account by faith - that is how God looks at us in the light of eternity, and WHY we can enter Heaven when we die. As we walk with Him, we are also to strive for (or live out) righteousness in our daily lives.
Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
Romans 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
That's instantaneous - the practical effects of it were throughout his lifetime - as James later says, his works proved to men that he was justified (or to put it another way, they justified him in the sight of men - whereas his faith was what justified him in relation to and in the sight of God).
Jeremiah 23:6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
All through the Bible, man needed to be clothed with Christ's righteousness - pictured by the skins of the animals God slew in the garden, pictured by a robe, seen in the story of the Prodigal Son - which was something given to him the moment he came home from his wandering in sin:
Luke 15:22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand (seal of sonship - sealed by the Holy Spirit), and shoes on his feet (shoes to carry the message of salvation to others):
Seen as an item we already are wearing in Ephesians 6 (we already have these three, they are in the past tense - we are exhorted to put on the other items):
Ephesians 6:14-15 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
And lastly seen several times in the book of Revelation (as white raiment):
Revelation 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire (true faith), that thou mayest be rich (riches in God's sight); and white raiment (Christ's righteousness), that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve (anointed by the Holy Spirit), that thou mayest see (understand spiritual things from the Word of God).
Exist - I need some help in understanding what you're saying.
So how does Christ make us like Him in our own nature? What has to happen or be done or take place in order for us to become like Him?
Jerry Bouey--
You said:
So what happens if you die before you achieve that?
Everyone will die before being fully conformed to the image of Christ. In fact, I don't think it is something we will ever fully attain. Rather, throughout our lives now and into eternity, we will continually be formed to the image of Christ. It will be an eternity of discovering the depths of Christ's perfection.
The Bible teaches we have Christ's righteousness credited to our account by faith - that is how God looks at us in the light of eternity, and WHY we can enter Heaven when we die.
I don't deny that the Scriptures probably use the "terms" you have used. However, I would dispute that the meaning which you apply to them was the full or even partial intention of the writers. Clearly for Paul--the supposed proof texts you'd go to--justification and regeneration are about more than simply changing God's perspective on sinful humanity (which is ultimately what positional righteousness is), but are rather getting to the heart of how we are changed from sinful humans at emnity with God to those who, like Christ, are recreated to exist in relationship to God. It is all about truly becoming new creations, not simply looking that new creations and fooling God into thinking that's we are (which, again, is really what positional righteousness is all about).
As we walk with Him, we are also to strive for (or live out) righteousness in our daily lives.
If God sees you completely through the goggles (or blinders) of Jesus' righteousness, what, exactly, would be the point of striving for righteousness? If I am righteous positionally, I'm not going to bother with "striving" for righteousness, for not only could I not affect my righteousness one bit, but moreover it would be a waste of time and energy that I could expend on living for myself without consequence.
Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
Ok, I don't really understand how this substantiates your point...
Romans 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
But you're missing the point of ROmans 4:3, especially in light of Hebrews 11. Abraham was righteous, not simply because he believed in God, but rather because he put his faith to the test and followed the will of GOd in all that he did. In this way, he was not counted righteous because of some abstract notion of "faith," but rather because he put all of his claims about his relationship with God to the grindstone, deliberately walking out that which he claimed to believe.
That's instantaneous - the practical effects of it were throughout his lifetime - as James later says, his works proved to men that he was justified (or to put it another way, they justified him in the sight of men - whereas his faith was what justified him in relation to and in the sight of God).
I disagree. Nothing is instantaneous in our lives. Rather, the work and will of God in our lives is borne out in the day-to-day faithfulness that we exhibit to God in how we choose to live our lives. His works did not simply prove that he was "justified," but rather they were the very vehicle by which he displayed his faithfulness to the will of GOd.
Jeremiah 23:6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Ok...
All through the Bible, man needed to be clothed with Christ's righteousness - pictured by the skins of the animals God slew in the garden, pictured by a robe, seen in the story of the Prodigal Son - which was something given to him the moment he came home from his wandering in sin:
Luke 15:22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand (seal of sonship - sealed by the Holy Spirit), and shoes on his feet (shoes to carry the message of salvation to others):
I think your allegorizing on this verse is a bit unwarranted. The prodigal son was not accepted by his father because he was "covered" by a robe. Rather, his father accepted him because of the father's great love and the son's return to live in proper relationship to his father's love.
Ephesians 6:14-15 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Paul's not talking about your meaning of righteousness here at all. He's talking about it as a defensive mechanism against the enemy's attacks.
Revelation 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire (true faith), that thou mayest be rich (riches in God's sight); and white raiment (Christ's righteousness), that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve (anointed by the Holy Spirit), that thou mayest see (understand spiritual things from the Word of God).
In the early church, white robes were given to the neophytes who had just passed through baptism. It was not the giving of the white robe or its "covering" of them that made them "justified" with God. Rather, it was a symbol of the transformation--through baptism--that had already and was continuing to occur in their lives. This is the more natural reading of the text.
chris--
So how does Christ make us like Him in our own nature? What has to happen or be done or take place in order for us to become like Him?
To become like Christ, we must be recreated, taken out of the cycles of violence and sinfulness in which we exist and recreated in fidelity and obedience to the will of God.
Well, Exist, I'm not going to endlessly debate you - good luck (not that I believe in luck) with trying to achieve your own righteousness (it will never happen).
This is the last thing I will say about this. In Genesis 15:6, when Abraham believed God's Word, God saved Him right then and there, right THEN He called him righteous - it doesn't say and years later he became righteous.
You're missing the boat...
Exist--
Please have patience with me....I'm really trying to understand what you're saying.... I'm not understanding how we get recreated, taken out of the cycle of violence and sinfulness..is it something that we "do" or gets done "for" us....and when does this process "start"? Does this happen with every created being or just those who have the desire to be recreated?
Thanks for your patience.
jerry bouey--
Well, Exist, I'm not going to endlessly debate you - good luck (not that I believe in luck) with trying to achieve your own righteousness (it will never happen).
Now you are simply being obtuse. I have never advocated anything like the mischaracterization that you have leveled above. Perhaps in future conversations you will attempt a more nuanced reading of my responses, rather than simply falling back on the "tried and true" Protestant responses that have little or nothing to do with what I have been saying. I regret that our discussion ends here, but if that is how you wish it, so it shall be.
This is the last thing I will say about this. In Genesis 15:6, when Abraham believed God's Word, God saved Him right then and there, right THEN He called him righteous - it doesn't say and years later he became righteous.
I reject the idea that "salvation" can be limited to a singular moment in time. Rather, salvation is something in which we participate that not only precedes the first "moment" of our lives, but also is something into which we will eternally grow.
You're missing the boat...
Apparently. Perhaps another will come along soon...
Now you are simply being obtuse. I have never advocated anything like the mischaracterization that you have leveled above. Perhaps in future conversations you will attempt a more nuanced reading of my responses, rather than simply falling back on the "tried and true" Protestant responses that have little or nothing to do with what I have been saying. I regret that our discussion ends here, but if that is how you wish it, so it shall be.
How have I mischaracterized you? I asked you for clarification, and then based my statement on your answer - if I misunderstood your answer, please clarify. I certainly was not trying to misrepresent you in any way. The Scriptures are black and white, not gray - hence my statements. From what I can gather, you do not believe that God credits His righteousness to our account through faith - which the Scriptures teach are the ONLY way any of us sinful creatures will ever be able to dwell in God's presence (in Heaven).
As far as my statement about this being all I was going to say - this is not my blog, and I do not feel it is profitable to get in an argument. When you have two different people with totally different ideologies and approaches to salvation/Scripture, there is not much we can do to easily resolve it here - and I respect brother JD enough not to ruin his blog with a debate.
I reject the idea that "salvation" can be limited to a singular moment in time.
Salvation is something that effects our whole lives (from the point we turn to Christ for salvation on) - but the Scriptures teach man is lost or found, saved or still unsaved, on our way to Heaven or still on our way to Hell (ie. where we will "perish" - see John 3:16 and 2 Peter 3:9), in the kingdom of God or of the kingdom of darkness, a child of God or a child of Satan, dead in Adam or alive in Christ, a sheep or a goat - there is no middle ground, Biblically speaking.
Yes, a true born again child of God needs to live righteously - but that is not HOW we get to Heaven - that is by Christ living through us. The moment I turned to Him determined that I would spend eternity with Him, because I then received His righteousness through faith - if I died a split second later without having one good work to show, I would still dwell in His presence - because His righteousness is the ONLY reason anyone will be there. That is why Romans 3:27 and Ephesians 2:9 teach that we cannot boast - because we are all there on the same footing; however, if we were there based on our own righteousness (see Isaiah 64:6...) then we would all have reason to boast and compare ourselves with others there.
Hey, everybody, been doing the Sunday thing, 'ya know.
Firstly, its all good, no real flamethrowing going on here if you look carefully at the comments, but it could be taken that way, so just don't take it that way, give the benefit...
THANK YOU FOR THE CONTINUED COMMENTS
Imputed righteousness, imparted righteousness.....if that is the question, I think it is us in Christ that gets us to heaven...read God's Dress Code for my take on it, it is clear...
That being said, just getting to heaven is not all I am concerned with..I want to give glory to God while I am on earth, and so therefore the imparted righteousness, the Holy Spirit in me, my new man, etc., etc., are imoprtant doctrines to understand and act in accordance with. We are saved by grace throught faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), but we are saved unto good works (Ephesians 2:10). Works are not the root of our justification, but the fruit of it. Faith alone, sola fide is critical, Luther (lets not joust him right now) said it is the article on which the church stands or falls. However, faith alone, faith without works is dead, and a dead faith cannot be a born again faith.
Jerry, yes, Jesus' righteousness accounted to us by faith, that is the deal, for sure IMHO...
exist~dissolve, yes, imparted rightuousness, being predestined to be conformed to His image, the Holy Spirit being there to make us righteous, and the end of our faith being the salvation of our souls (1 Peter 1:9), these point to the process. There are a lot of people who think they are counting on Christ but they most certainly are not (Titus 1:16, Matthew 7:23ff, etc., etc.)...
I admire and appreciate both your zeal and your diligence to present your opinions of scripture, and to be truthful, considering the weight of what we are discussing, the demeanor hasn't been too bad...lets keep it that way..lets show mercy...lets separate emotion from intent...in all candor, this has helped all of us already, I have seen some grace where I might not have thought I woul;d find it...look for it..
Exampe, exist~dissolve said "oops" on an earlier post..well done, and I imagine none of us might have felt he would do so when challenged, but he did, and he also said to watch out for his comments, they don't always come off as he would like (that goes for all of us, no doubt). I'm good with it, and looking forward to more....although Jerry, you are right, better not to quarrel if it goes that way, I don't think it has...
exist~dissolve, if you would, give us your background, church wise, I I think I saw Weslyan-holiness material on a realted blog of yours, and that would be cool, it would explain a lot here...although i see that you are certainly a free thinker, not trying to pigeonhole, so feel free to limit exposure, as it were...
God bless you all, more articles, or posts, or whatever you want to call them, on the way, and many thanks again for the time...
6-15-06
An important passage for sure...
This may sound completely elemantary to some of you. I can tell that I am not at the intelectual levels that you people are but let me give you a laymans perspective, if you will, on salvation and works. Salvation is both a "one time occurance" and a "lifelong occurance". If I ask forgiveness, and believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins than I can experiance that one time occurance. But if I stop there and never develop that relationship with Christ by reading the Word, prayer etc. But if I have done no works, I don't display any fruit and it is a one time occurance. Then it is not true salvation in the first place. There has been no true repentance. So I think that there is some truth in it to say that salvation is "something into which we will eternally grow". If we don't then we didn't experience salvation in the first place. But I also do not believe that you can grow into salvation without that initial submissive and repentant experiance. Because in us without the Holy Spirit we are not able to even desire Christ. Maybe the right way to say it would be that we can grow IN the salvation we now have.
I am glad that I do not have to do miracles to prove that I am His own. The fact that He loves me and saved me is the biggest miracle of all. Now I just keep my eyes and my focus on Him and stay the course.
Wow at the comments. Hard to follow, but interesting. Like a tennis match happening on 2 or 3 different courts at the same time. :)
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