I have a question about Matthew 25:31-36
It seems that this verse talks about last judgement. In that verse Jesus describes why people are chosen. Because they fed him, clothed him, visit him in prison,gave him drink. It looks like that we are justified by works but most of churches teach that we are justified by faith. What trouble me is that no where in this verse it says that I am justified by faith.[/B]
Well, let's see if this is so. After all James says, using the same passage in the OT that Paul uses, that Abraham was justified by his works: James 2:21
"Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?" Everyone must say yes to this question, but that does not mean that the work he performed was the source of his new nature, having a standing before God as forgiven and clothed in righteousness. It is a justification by works, however, that shows forth the fact; that his Faith which had brought him into this relation with God truly had divinely caused results. As to the cause of this relation in the first place Paul says in Romans 4: "1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For
if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness."
Paul and James do not contradict; their writings are preserved in scripture by the breath of God. Both their words were inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that: they are the consistent, non-contradicting, unified truth of God. In italics above is that statement by Paul which shows us how to take James' words of work justification:
"not before God", i.e. before onlooking men or any other sentient creature of God, perhaps.
"But not before God," Paul confirms by appealing to the unity of scripture, quoting a passage that makes the positive causal statement:
"It was counted unto him for righteousness." So it is the believing of God, his faith, that unseen work in the heart of Abraham, that is justly recognized in his work. And we, looking back to it, can say yes. But we fully recognize that he was Justified before God by his faith. And we see the same principal working in us: Ephesians 2:8
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." And thus, there is no contradiction.
We see this in the text you site: for it goes on to say, "37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Those justified by faith, were not aware of these works they were ordained to walk in, but the judgement of the LORD points them out. So also the ones who did not do such works were not aware that they had not done them; they had to be shown it was so. And in the case with the unbelievers, we see that they had not that faith that works as James says: James 2:18 "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works." Both agree; works confirm faith, just, however, not before God. In terms of true faith, saving faith, Paul says in Philippians 2, "10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence,
work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For
it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."
It is true faith that puts one in a personal relationship with Christ. True faith is a gift of God by which we know him and are known, personally examined, by him through his word. This is why in a similar passage Christ says to these confused people, "21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 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? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." By their works ye shall know them: ye shall, not God; for their works declare them to be what they are before their fellow creatures. The key point is: God knows his own and his sheep hear his voice (he has given them true faith) and they follow him (true faith works). John.27:10;
We can praise God as Paul in Ephesians 1,"3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;" Amen? What a savior, who says in John 10: "14 I am the good shepherd, and
know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep."
So I think we can conclude that text does not show the reason why they were chosen, but it rather shows the appropriate evidence before fellow creatures that they were chosen and saved by their faith, true faith, regenerating, God bestowed faith that works (even when the recipients of that faith did not realize it had so worked). This actually shows the reason there has to be that last judgement: That every creature confess that Jesus is LORD to the glory of God, saved and unsaved alike. Thank you, good questions vitalii.
