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Preface
August 18, 2017 article, edited October 16 2023 for a version on academia.edu
Back in 2017, listening to an online pastor describe the sin and evil associated with much modern, evangelical Christian dating, he opined that many evangelicals were false Christians. This well-known pastor used Matthew 7: 21-23 as example of these types of people.
This raised a red flag in my mind.
One of my theology professors at Trinity Western University, Dr. Earl Radmacher, was involved with Grace In Focus. I subscribed to their newsletter prior to moving to England. Below is a presentation from one of their theologians.
Back in 2017, listening to an online pastor describe the sin and evil associated with much modern, evangelical Christian dating, he opined that many evangelicals were false Christians. This well-known pastor used Matthew 7: 21-23 as example of these types of people.
This raised a red flag in my mind.
One of my theology professors at Trinity Western University, Dr. Earl Radmacher, was involved with Grace In Focus. I subscribed to their newsletter prior to moving to England. Below is a presentation from one of their theologians.
Matthew 7: 21-23 In short
Faith Alone/Grace In Focus
Cited
'Bob Wilkin is the Executive Director of Grace Evangelical Society.'
'21 Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord," shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?" 23 And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness."'
Wilkin cited
'What, then, does Jesus mean by the will of the Father and who are those who do it? One popular view today suggests that by the expression "the will of My Father" Jesus meant a life characterized by obedience to all that the Father has commanded. Thus those who do the will of the Father would be people who live godly, holy lives.'
This is the interpretation, if I understood the online pastor reasonably well, that he was to some significant degree, theologically embracing. Those that are true Christians, will embrace biblical and not worldly systems of dating (and marriage).
Wilkin cited
'There are several problems with this interpretation. First, God is perfect and one cannot enter His kingdom without becoming absolutely perfect (Isa. 64:6; Gal. 3:6-14; Heb. 10:1-18; James 2:10). Second, one cannot be said to have done the will of the Father unless he does it completely, 100%. To violate even just one of God's commands is to break them all (James 2:10). Third, even if these first two objections were not valid, this view leads to the unbiblical conclusion that no one can ever be sure that he is saved until he dies or is raptured. No one could ever know if he had obeyed enough. Yet the Scriptures are clear that the apostles knew with absolute certainty that they were saved and they wanted their readers to know this as well (Luke 10:20; John 13:10; Rom. 8:31-39; 2 Pet. 1:1; 1 John 2:12-14, 25; 5:13).
There is another view as to what Jesus meant by the expression "the will of My Father." When Jesus spoke of doing the will of the Father to obtain kingdom entrance, He had one act of obedience in mind: believing the gospel. It is God's will that none should perish but that all should come to a change of mind about the gospel (2 Pet. 3:9). When asked the question, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" Jesus said, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent" (John 6:28-29).'
Those evaluating Christian theology should be careful not to make their view of perfect or near perfect theology the test for whether or not a person is a true biblical Christian. This would include worldview perspectives on dating, and marriage for that matter.
Wilkin cited
'A person who trusts in Christ alone obeys completely the will of the Father to believe in Jesus Christ alone for eternal salvation. Such a person obtains absolute perfection before God [positionally speaking] since Christ takes away all of his sins and gives him His righteousness in exchange (2 Cor. 5:21; Col. 2:13-14; Heb. 10:1-18). And, such a person can be 100% sure of his salvation since he can know with certainty that he has done the will of the Father (in relation to the gospel) once and for all (cf. John 3:16; 5:24; Rom. 8:38-39; 1 John 5:13). Acts 5:32 and Acts 6:7 also refer to believing the gospel as an act of obedience to God.'
Being chosen, regenerated, and justified through the atoning and resurrection work of Jesus Christ:
Titus 3:5-7
New American Standard Bible (NASB) 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs [a]according to the hope of eternal life.
THE GREEK NEW TESTAMENT (1993) Stuttgart, United Bible Societies.
Faith Alone/Grace In Focus
Cited
'Bob Wilkin is the Executive Director of Grace Evangelical Society.'
'21 Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord," shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?" 23 And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness."'
Wilkin cited
'What, then, does Jesus mean by the will of the Father and who are those who do it? One popular view today suggests that by the expression "the will of My Father" Jesus meant a life characterized by obedience to all that the Father has commanded. Thus those who do the will of the Father would be people who live godly, holy lives.'
This is the interpretation, if I understood the online pastor reasonably well, that he was to some significant degree, theologically embracing. Those that are true Christians, will embrace biblical and not worldly systems of dating (and marriage).
Wilkin cited
'There are several problems with this interpretation. First, God is perfect and one cannot enter His kingdom without becoming absolutely perfect (Isa. 64:6; Gal. 3:6-14; Heb. 10:1-18; James 2:10). Second, one cannot be said to have done the will of the Father unless he does it completely, 100%. To violate even just one of God's commands is to break them all (James 2:10). Third, even if these first two objections were not valid, this view leads to the unbiblical conclusion that no one can ever be sure that he is saved until he dies or is raptured. No one could ever know if he had obeyed enough. Yet the Scriptures are clear that the apostles knew with absolute certainty that they were saved and they wanted their readers to know this as well (Luke 10:20; John 13:10; Rom. 8:31-39; 2 Pet. 1:1; 1 John 2:12-14, 25; 5:13).
There is another view as to what Jesus meant by the expression "the will of My Father." When Jesus spoke of doing the will of the Father to obtain kingdom entrance, He had one act of obedience in mind: believing the gospel. It is God's will that none should perish but that all should come to a change of mind about the gospel (2 Pet. 3:9). When asked the question, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" Jesus said, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent" (John 6:28-29).'
Those evaluating Christian theology should be careful not to make their view of perfect or near perfect theology the test for whether or not a person is a true biblical Christian. This would include worldview perspectives on dating, and marriage for that matter.
Wilkin cited
'A person who trusts in Christ alone obeys completely the will of the Father to believe in Jesus Christ alone for eternal salvation. Such a person obtains absolute perfection before God [positionally speaking] since Christ takes away all of his sins and gives him His righteousness in exchange (2 Cor. 5:21; Col. 2:13-14; Heb. 10:1-18). And, such a person can be 100% sure of his salvation since he can know with certainty that he has done the will of the Father (in relation to the gospel) once and for all (cf. John 3:16; 5:24; Rom. 8:38-39; 1 John 5:13). Acts 5:32 and Acts 6:7 also refer to believing the gospel as an act of obedience to God.'
Being chosen, regenerated, and justified through the atoning and resurrection work of Jesus Christ:
Titus 3:5-7
New American Standard Bible (NASB) 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs [a]according to the hope of eternal life.
Bible Hub
Wilkin cited
'Probably many of those who will say "Lord, Lord have we not prophesied, cast out demons, and done many wonders in Your name" are people who in this life were pastors, evangelists, missionaries, and the like. They may have baptized many, prayed and witnessed much, and done what they thought were many deeds which made them think that they were probably saved. Notice that Jesus does not question whether they actually did such deeds. Yet He rebukes them for not doing the Father's will and He denies them kingdom entrance. Those who do not believe in Christ alone for their salvation have failed to do the will of the Father.'
Wilkin cited
'May we call people to do the will of God so that they can obtain entrance into the kingdom of God. Those who place their trust wholly in Jesus Christ have done the will of the Father and have already passed from death to life (John 5:24) and will not come into judgment regarding their eternal destiny (John 3:18).'
Matthew 7: 21-23 is not damning supposed believers that do not have perfect or near perfect theology and err in certain areas of worldview and theology. Matthew 7: 21-23 is discussing certain persons who do works in the name of Jesus Christ, and perhaps in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These people are trusting in their religious works such as prophecy, casting out demons and supernatural wonders; whereas if he/she was chosen and regenerated by God through he atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ he/she would be trusting in God and Jesus Christ for salvation, with justification by grace (alone) through faith (alone), not by works, but for good works (Ephesians 1-2).
The theology of those damned was error, so theology does matter. These unregenerate lacked the essential theology and trusting faith/belief to be saved and trusted in works righteousness. It is not theological error on secondary issues, but theological error in regard to primary issues.
BAUER, WALTER. (1979) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, Translated by Eric H. Wahlstrom, Chicago, The University of Chicago Press.
Strong 3824 παλιγγενεσία, ας, ἡ
παλινγενεσίας in Titus 3: 5
Strong's Concordance paliggenesia: regeneration, renewal
Greek scholar Bauer documents regeneration as: The rebirth of the redeemed person. (606). The regeneration and rebirth via the Holy Spirit. (606).
Wilkin cited
'Probably many of those who will say "Lord, Lord have we not prophesied, cast out demons, and done many wonders in Your name" are people who in this life were pastors, evangelists, missionaries, and the like. They may have baptized many, prayed and witnessed much, and done what they thought were many deeds which made them think that they were probably saved. Notice that Jesus does not question whether they actually did such deeds. Yet He rebukes them for not doing the Father's will and He denies them kingdom entrance. Those who do not believe in Christ alone for their salvation have failed to do the will of the Father.'
Wilkin cited
'May we call people to do the will of God so that they can obtain entrance into the kingdom of God. Those who place their trust wholly in Jesus Christ have done the will of the Father and have already passed from death to life (John 5:24) and will not come into judgment regarding their eternal destiny (John 3:18).'
Matthew 7: 21-23 is not damning supposed believers that do not have perfect or near perfect theology and err in certain areas of worldview and theology. Matthew 7: 21-23 is discussing certain persons who do works in the name of Jesus Christ, and perhaps in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These people are trusting in their religious works such as prophecy, casting out demons and supernatural wonders; whereas if he/she was chosen and regenerated by God through he atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ he/she would be trusting in God and Jesus Christ for salvation, with justification by grace (alone) through faith (alone), not by works, but for good works (Ephesians 1-2).
The theology of those damned was error, so theology does matter. These unregenerate lacked the essential theology and trusting faith/belief to be saved and trusted in works righteousness. It is not theological error on secondary issues, but theological error in regard to primary issues.
Wilkin cited
'What would you say if you appeared before God and He said, “Why should I let you into My kingdom?” Matthew 7:22 is the wrong answer. The right answer is, “Lord, I am an unworthy sinner who has placed his complete trust upon what Jesus did for me upon the cross, and He promised that whoever believes in Him has eternal life” (Luke 18:13-14; John 3:16; Rom. 4:5; Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5).'
'What would you say if you appeared before God and He said, “Why should I let you into My kingdom?” Matthew 7:22 is the wrong answer. The right answer is, “Lord, I am an unworthy sinner who has placed his complete trust upon what Jesus did for me upon the cross, and He promised that whoever believes in Him has eternal life” (Luke 18:13-14; John 3:16; Rom. 4:5; Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5).'
In other words, being regenerated, justified and saved through the applied atoning resurrection work of Jesus Christ by grace through faith alone. Works are not for salvation, but any legitimate, godly works are within salvation.
Wilkin Reference
WILKEN BOB (1988) 'Not Everyone Who Says “Lord, Lord” Will Enter the Kingdom: Matthew 7:21-23; Grace in Focus Articles, GES, December 1, 1988, Denton, Texas.
https://faithalone.org/grace-in-focus-articles/not-everyone-who-says-lord-lord-will-enter-the-kingdom/
References
BROWNING, W.R.F. (1997) Dictionary of the Bible, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
COURSON, JON (2005) Application Commentary, Thomas Nelson, Nashville.
ELLISON, H.L. (1986) ‘Matthew’, in F.F. Bruce (ed.), The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
FRANCE, R.T. (1985) Matthew, Grand Rapids, IVP, Eerdmans.
GUNDRY, ROBERT (1981) A Survey of the New Testament, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
GRENZ, STANLEY J., DAVID GURETZKI AND CHERITH FEE NORDLING (1999) Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms, Downers Grove, Ill., InterVarsity Press.
HODGES, ZANE C AND EARL RADMACHER (1990) The NIV Reconsidered : A Fresh Look at a Popular Translation, Redencion Viva, Texas.
MARSHALL, ALFRED (1975)(1996) The Interlinear KJV-NIV, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
STRONG, J. (1890)(1986) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Pickering, Ontario, Welch Publishing Company.
