Matthew 25:31-46 Explained

Another passage that is misapplied to teach the doctrine of works salvation is Matthew 25:31-46. However a closer look, it does NOT teach works salvation. Rather, it gives a distinction mark between the saved vs. the unsaved. So where are the distinction marks? Here's what it should REALLY mean based on interpreting the Bible with the Bible.

So let's start with the side of the sheep shall we? (Matthew 25:34-40)

First, let's try to be sure that nobody is ever saved by the good works nor by any means maintain their salvation by good works that they do and that's a straight fact BUT the saving power of God saves people from their sins which has separated them from God to be redeemed unto good works, and as an inevitable result do good works because Christians will bear fruit (Matthew 1:21, Ephesians 2:8-10, Titus 2:11-15, Hebrews 9:14). This does not mean that Christians need to do genuine good works to enter Heaven but rather, Christians do good works in order to gain treasures in Heaven and it's an evidence that they belong to Heaven already... not of this world. So what about the good works here? Simple. The good works just come as a result of their salvation. As said, God's grace teaches Christians to be different from the world and to live godly lives, convict them whenever they sin (Titus 2:11-15) and when they sin, God chastises them (Hebrews 12:5-6). In John 10, Jesus makes a big distinction that His sheep follow Him and obey Him because they are His.

On the other hand, why were the rest condemned? (Matthew 25:41-46)

Now let's understand that it's again, nothing to do with them not doing any good works. Face it- Matthew 7:22-23 declares that many will also profess their good works (and He professes to them He NEVER knew them meaning they were not saved to start with) which they did but it's all filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6) and salvation is by no means, by works (Ephesians 2:8-9). These people were fruit thieves- doing the good works that were not made for them because they were not saved to start with. So what did Jesus mean that He was hungry and was given no food, thirsty and given no drink, naked and was not clothed, sick and an in prison and was not visited? Further examination of the Lord Jesus' status is that He underwent ALL those to be able to save mankind from their sins and condemnation. He came to the world a stranger that received Him not (John 1:11). During his temptation, He was hungry and thirsty (Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-11) and later, during His capture. He was in prison when He was arrested and put to an unjust trial. There he was also sick and in prison. At the cross, He was totally naked and battered, put to shame so man can be clothed in righteousness. Despite all He did, man has continued to REJECT Him and persecute His followers whom He counts as His brethren. Revelation 3:20 has the Lord Jesus knocking at the door of the hearts of men but they didn't open it. So in the end, any good work they did could not be credited. They were stealing the glory for themselves.

Further examination:

Again, the fact that they rejected the Lord Jesus Christ has resulted to them actually persecuting the Christians by any means possible. This also does not mean that if they did help a Christian in need that the Lord will honor it. No again they're stealing the fruits of Christian labor when they do it. A Christian may fall down at the faith but they do remain saved (John 6:37) however it does not mean that the Lord Jesus will not chastise them, He will (Hebrews 12:5-6) because He is their Lord and Savior. He demonstrates His being Savior by chastising as well as to save Christians from their bad habits through chastising. Anyway, it should be a challenge to Christians to do more good works than they can as to further spread the Gospel.