What did Jesus mean when he said this about people claiming to be christians?

Question

(Matthew 7:21-23) 21 “Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will. 22 Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’ 23 And yet then I will confess to them: I never knew YOU! Get away from me, YOU workers of lawlessness.

(James 2:14-17) 14 Of what benefit is it, my brothers, if a certain one says he has faith but he does not have works? That faith cannot save him, can it? 15 If a brother or a sister is in a naked state and lacking the food sufficient for the day, 16 yet a certain one of YOU says to them: “Go in peace, keep warm and well fed,” but YOU do not give them the necessities for [their] body, of what benefit is it? 17 Thus, too, faith, if it does not have works, is dead in itself.

(1 Peter 2:21)

Answer 1

Both these verses are showing that it is not doing what we feel is right that matters, but rather, it is doing what God says is right.

For example, Matthew 28:19,20 and Romans 10:13-15 speaks of talking to others about God(preaching and teaching). Some people try to do this on their own and not part of an organized group that has a plan. This results in much confusion because often they are all out saying different things, or just handing out tracts and inviting people to church, which really doesn't address any problems a person might have. It is much better to be a part of a planned outing, so everyone says the same things.

We might also consider moral issues(Smoking, premarital or extramarital sex) Many are confused because some claiming to represent Christ believe these things to be right while others say otherwise. It is much better to go to the Bible and let it speak for itself on these and other matters.

Jesus said a tree was known by it's fruit, whether it was good or rotten. If we can't go to the Bible for answers because we don't trust it, we can look to the many religions and seek one that is putting forth things, is of a good benefit to it's adherents. (Matthew 7:16-20)

Answer 2

10. Jesus existed before he became human as he said. (John 8:58, John 17:5) 9. Actually he was very clear. 8. No one has seen the father. 7. Yes it was. Read both Jewish and Roman sources to see that. The trinity was even spoke about in the first century in letters between Christians. 6. Because he was human. He gave us his divine powers to do the will of the father. 5. As a human, but he said when he leaves his glory will be restored and that's why the book of revelations was revealed. 4. No he doesn't. 3. Yes. 2. He hasn't. 1. Jesus is God. Do you think God controls the universe everyday? Regardless the father could have still done it but he set everything in motion so his divine intervention would not be necessary. The human body of Jesus died. His spirit could not die. God can't just forgive our sins because he is a God of justice. Every sin must be paid for and if he just forgave everybody then he would not be a god of justice. He would be corrupt. Jesus willingly gave himself up for sins. Through him everybody can be forgiven. It's not a free entrance into heaven, you must accept Jesus and follow his teachings or he will reject you. The Old Testament backs up everything Jesus did and the fact that the Messiah was suppose to be the son of God. The Jews did not understand their scriptures and Jesus pointed that out to them.

Answer 3

Matthew 7:21 deals with fake Christians like the ones on TV.

James 2:14 Deals with how a Christians should conduct themselves.

Answer 4

All these exact Jesus quotes It's really amazing. Did he have people following him around 24/7 with a steno pad, or a tape recorder? How did all these quotes get preserved? We don't have this many exact quotes from all the prominent people in the last couple of hundred years, combined.

Answer 5

Amazingly enough, there are people who use Jesus' name for their own agenda. They seek to glorify themselves, or get money, or whatever, and dupe others by pretending they are doing God's work. People might be fooled, but of course the Lord is not fooled. On that day, when these people are shocked that Jesus turns them away, He will say these words to them, and their real motives will be revealed.

Answer 6

How could one who KNOWS everything not know someone? I tell you that he is talking about the "knowing" in the biblical sense. He is talking about Holy Communion ---the real consummation of the marriage and the people who are not Catholic are the ones of whom he speaks. He does not "know" them because he has had no union with them in Holy Communion.

Answer 7

Webster’s Dictionary defines a Christian as “a person professing belief in Jesus as the Christ or in the religion based on the teaching of Jesus.” While this is a good starting point in understanding what a Christian is, like many secular definitions, it falls somewhat short of really communicating the biblical truth of what it means to be a Christian.

The word Christian is used three times in New Testament (Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). Followers of Jesus Christ were first called “Christians” in Antioch (Acts 11:26) because their behavior, activity, and speech were like Christ. It was originally used by the unsaved people of Antioch as a kind of contemptuous nickname used to make fun of the Christians. It literally means, “belonging to the party of Christ” or an “adherent or follower of Christ,” which is very similar to the way Webster’s Dictionary defines it.

Unfortunately over time, the word "Christian" has lost a great deal of its significance and is often used of someone who is religious or has high moral values instead of a true born again follower of Jesus Christ. Many people who don’t believe and trust in Jesus Christ consider themselves Christians simply because they go to church or they live in a "Christian" nation. But going to church, serving those less fortunate than you, or being a good person does not make you a Christian. As one evangelist once said, “Going to church doesn’t make one a Christian anymore than going to a garage makes one an automobile.” Being a member of a church, attending services regularly, and giving to the work of the church cannot make you a Christian.

The Bible teaches us that the good works we do cannot make us acceptable to God. Titus 3:5 tells us that it is “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” So, a Christian is someone who has been born-again by God (John 3:3; John 3:7; 1 Peter 1:23) and has put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8 tells us that it is “by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” A true Christian is someone who has repented of his or her sin and put faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone. Their trust is not in following a religion or a set of moral codes, or a list of do’s and don’ts.

A true Christian is a person who has put his or her faith and trust in the person of Jesus Christ and fact that He died on the cross as payment for sins and rose again on the third day to obtain victory over death and to give eternal life to all who believe in Him. John 1:12 tells us: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” A true Christian is indeed a child of God, a part of God’s true family, and one who has been given new life in Christ. The mark of a true Christian is love for others and obedience to God’s Word (1 John 2:4; 1 John 2:10).

Answer 8

In Matthew, those who reject salvation by faith alone, try to work their way into heaven. When they die and realize they were wrong, they bring up all the things they did to save them. They end up in eternal hell.

In James, it shows that fellow man is convinced of our salvation by our works, but God is not. Salvation is by FAITH ALONE, WITHOUT ANY WORKS.

Answer 9

basically its a slam on organized religion. to me worshiping god only has one rule, Its not what you do or think but why?

Answer 10

I think you should keep Gospels and N.T letters separated when you study your religion.