What about the goats in Matthew 25:41-45 ?
Weren't they punished because they did not do anything practical to help people?
And what about the guys in Matthew 7:21-23 ?
Didn't they do all this wonderful Christian stuff and still get rejected?
Maybe Jesus actually meant for us to follow what he said? and that our willingness to do that plays some role in what happens to us? Matthew 7:24-27
The key word here is 'KNEW' We are here to get to KNOW JESUS. To get to KNOW the FATHER. We are in a relationship with HIM We're not on a job site.
JESUS was talking to those who tried to work their way into heaven instead of simply getting to know HIM.
We were adopted into the family of GOD. If we reject that and go with religion we've had it.
Romans 8:15
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of
adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Romans 8:23
And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the
adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Romans 9:4
Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the
adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
Galatians 4:5
To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the
adoption of sons.
Ephesians 1:5
Having predestinated us unto the
adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
You should look up these verses and read them in context
We talk of being nice to your neighbors, of working works, of obeying the FATHER by working. All well and good BUT. What are you going to do? We have an example; JESUS. What did HE do?
John 12:49
For I have
not spoken of
myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
John 14:10
Believest thou
not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak
not of
myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
Its not up to us to decide what we will do or say. Its up to us only to follow JESUS