Hello everybody, it's me, this is Charles23, back in our video.
This is another video on commonly misused, twisted, misunderstood, and misinterpreted
verses in the Bible.
Today I'm going to be talking about Matthew chapter 7 verse 21 which says,
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.
Now this verse is twisted by works salvationists to mean that you need to do good works in
order to have eternal life.
And the claim is that just because you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord, which would be
your faith, you will not get to heaven unless you do God's will.
But this verse, like many, is taken out of context, both out of immediate context and
in light of the other teachings of scripture.
Jesus continues by saying in Matthew chapter 7 verse 22 and 23,
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in
thy name of 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.
So in verse 22 we see examples of people who boast about the works which they have
done, giving to Jesus that doing the so-called many wonderful works is what should get them
into heaven.
However, the Bible teaches that salvation is not by works.
It says in Ephesians chapter 2 verse 8 to 9,
For by grace are ye saved, through faith, and then not of yourselves, as is the gift
of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.
In verse 9 it says, lest any man should boast.
And in Romans 3 it says, Where is boasting that is excluded?
By what law?
Of works, nay, but by the law of faith.
Jesus gives an example of those who boast about their works in verse 22.
However, their works are in vain as it says in Titus chapter 3 verse 5,
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved
us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost.
So that's why in verse 23 he says, I never knew you, depart from me, ye workers of iniquity.
Now why does he call them workers of iniquity?
Iniquity is synonymous with sin and wickedness and lawlessness.
Well the Bible says in James chapter 2 verse 10,
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
So those who try to justify themselves by the law, by doing good things, because they
are rejecting the finished work of Jesus Christ and his grace, they are required to obey the
whole law.
But this is impossible as it says in Romans 3 23,
All have sinned, and to come short of the glory of God.
And then it says in Ecclesiastes 7 20, There is not a just man upon the earth that
doeth good and sinneth not.
On the other hand, we Christians who have accepted the gift of Christ by faith alone,
our sins are forgiven.
It says in Hebrews chapter 8 verse 12, For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness,
and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
And then it says in Acts chapter 10 verse 4 to 3,
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him
shall receive remission of sins.
So God no longer sees our iniquity, because being reborn in the Spirit is only our flesh
which falls into sin.
So what Matthew chapter 7 verse 21 is really teaching is that not everybody who simply
has faith will be with Jesus, will have eternal life.
But those who add works to that faith as a means of justification and thus boasting of
their works will be cast away from Jesus.
They will not enter into heaven.
So really it's the opposite of what works salvationists try to use it for.
So thank you everybody for watching and goodbye.