Question for Faith Alone of Sola Fide professing Christians?

Question

I am looking for an interpretation of Matthew 7:21.


Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Matt 7:21 (DRB)

Haydock Commentaries:
Ver. 21. Here Jesus Christ shews, that it is not sufficient to believe in him and hear his words, but that in order to salvation, we must join works with faith; for in this shall we be examined at the last day. (Menochius) --- Without faith they could not cry out, Lord, Lord. (Romans x.) But the strongest faith without the works of justice, will not be available to salvation. (1 Corinthians xiii.) (Bristow) --- Many who have the Lord continually in their mouths, but care little about putting on the Lord, or penetrating themselves with his true spirit, will find their presumption, and the false consciences they have made to themselves, wofully disappointed. (Haydock)
21: Matthew xxv. 11.; Luke vi. 46.


My question is, how can we believe that we are saved by Faith Alone, when Jesus suggests so strongly that he who cries out 'Lord, Lord' will not always go to Heaven, and one must do the will of the Father to get into Heaven?

Please kind and charitable answers only. This is a legitimate question for Christians who believe works have nothing to do with our Salvation.

Thanks

Answer 1

Good question, and the answer is really not that complicated. The New Testament seems clear in it's direct statements that we are saved by faith alone, and not by works. Romans 3:20, Ephesians 2:8, 9 and Romans 3:28 seem to state this quite plainly. The thing we must take into account is that when one is justified by faith they are also regenerated by the Holy Spirit. And the Spirit indwells us to bring about change, or fruit in our lives. If we have genuine faith, we will possess the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit will be bearing evidence of new life within us. That is why Jesus says, "By their fruits you will know them. Profession is not the issue, possession is - possession of new life by the Holy Spirit.



As I like to say, good works of any kind do not produce salvation. But salvation produces good works of every kind.

Answer 2

"...when Jesus suggests so strongly that he who cries out "Lord, Lord" will not always go to Heaven."



...because salvation by faith is a work of God, not man. A man can say he is Christian, devote his entire life to Christianity (as many atheists thought they did before their de-conversion) but if their faith was not a work of God himself, if God did not KNOW THEM, then their faith is a dead faith.



"...one must do the will of the Father to get to Heaven..."



Who is Jesus speaking to? ...the already converted!! He wasn't telling the un-converted that if they believed and did good deeds they would go to heaven. Rather he wast talking to those who ALREADY believed and said that if they were in fact saved by God, then they would follow his commandments. God says that if you love him, then keep his commandments; only those who are already saved can love God.

Answer 3

Because as it was in the old days......so it is now...



Many use His name in vain, claiming they know Him, but they only desire the praises of men....(see how they go to church to be seen of men, and they think that is all it takes)



Only Jesus KNOWS your heart, and if you will seek HIM, even right this minute for your answer, I believe you will receive an answer to your question from HIM. But ask Him, knowing that you will receive an answer.

Answer 4

I'm sure you realize that anyone can claim faith in Jesus, that does not mean that they are converted in their heart. What Jesus was saying in these verses is that, yes, there are those who do lots of things and use Jesus' name while they are doing them, it doesn't mean that they are true believers in Him.



Since Ephesians tells us it is by faith we are saved, not by works, we have to use that to help interpret this verse. Works do not save anyone, but they are evidence of a truly converted heart.



And God can see the difference.

Answer 5

Jesus saves us through our faith in Him. Our works show Him that we love Him and love others just as He has commanded us to do. Faith without works is dead.



John 14:21

New International Version

Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

Answer 6

You're right. James also wrote on the necessity of combining faith with works. (James 2: 14-26.) May I give you the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, (Mormon) take on it? "For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved after all we can do." (Book of Mormon, pages 99-100.) Visit us at mormon.org.