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Question Title Posted By Question Date
mathew 7:22-23 Anthony Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Question:

Good day,

In mathew 7:22-23 it states that On that day many will say to me, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, `I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.

Could you please offer more explanation on these verses. who are the people christ is referring to here and what could be his reasons in verse 23 since it looks like they were doing his will in verse 22.
Thanks and God bless.



Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Anthony:

Verse 21 refers to the fact that merely having faith in Christ is not enough. As the Navarre Bible Commentary notes, "it is not enough to speak about the things of God: there must be a consistency between what one preaches -- what one says -- and what one does: 'The kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power' (1 Cor 4:20); 'Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves' (James 1:22)."

Verse 22 refers to people who may conduct ministry, even have gifts, but do not practice the virtues they preach, do not "strive to act in accordance with the demands of the faith [they] prefess..."

Just as faith without outward works will not save (James 2:14-26), outward works without faith will not save.

"The day" refers to the day of the Last Judgment. Verse 23 reveals that Jesus will be the Judge. The verb used in this passage means that this judgment is a public proclamation of the truth by Christ. It is a judicial sentence of those who do not have a saving faith in Him.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary


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