Are your many wonderful works sufficient?

© 2017 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

“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? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:22-23).

Jesus made this statement while teaching his disciples. Having taught them many things, He now discusses eternity. He describes individuals who will claim to be His followers. They’ll claim to have done many things in His name. They’ve prophesied in His name. They’ve cast out devils in His name. They’ve done many wonderful works in His name. Won’t Jesus, whom they think they’re following, grant them eternal glory for all their wonderful works? Yet Jesus will say to them, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Church-goer: Are you partly trusting your good works for favor with God? Do you think your proclamations of His name, your church membership and activities, or participation in ceremonies such as the Lord’s supper, will save you? If so, you’re still unsaved. God declares,

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away” (Isaiah 64:6).

God’s servant, James, reminds us,

“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10).

If, during the course of our life, we sin, even once, we’re guilty of completely violating God’s law. Perfection is absolutely necessary. The only one that was and is perfect enough to deliver us from our fallen nature is Jesus Christ, the risen Messiah. He died to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).

Has God’s Holy Spirit convinced your heart that only the Lord Jesus Christ can save you? Has He changed you so that you now serve Him from a heart of love trusting only in Him?

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Has God made you a new creature in Christ, or are you still partially trusting your many wonderful works?

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