"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." (Matthew 7:21)
If faith alone is all that is needed, then why did the Lord say that we must do the will of His Father? Faith is very imporant, but "faith without works is dead" (James 2:26). The faith that is being illustrated in the verses you have quoted is a faith that includes more than simple belief. This is very evident in the teachings of the New Testament as a whole.
Good works are the fruit of the Holy Ghost working in us who have been regenerated by God. You and me. Trinitarian believers in Jesus Christ.
We do good works because He has changed us from sinners to saints, all by His hand alone. Our good works glorify His name, not our own righteousness.
The thread woven among all Christ's parables is that we are saved by God alone.
Sorry I think you need to read the text in context not just cherry pick
The scripture actually makes an opposite point
Mat 7:21 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.
Mat 7:22 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?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Here is a man FULL of "good works" even done in the name of the Lord
But what does Jesus say? I NEVER KNEW YOU
This mans name was not written before the foundation of the earth (Eph 1:4)... he was NEVER the Lords..IN-SPITE of all those "good works"
You see what the unsaved do is NEVER pleasing to God...it is always sin to God
Rom 9:11 (For [the children] being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
One is saved by faith not works
What is the will of the Father? Jesus tells us
Jhn 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
That is the will of the Father
The works that please God are the works of him in us.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
The only works that please God are the works that flow out of our salvation
The fruit does not give life to the tree, the fruit gets it life from the tree
If you believe that your good works are anything but filthy rags to God.. if you believe that they are a part of your salvation... turn now to him that gives faith and ask Him help you to believe..
It is not enough to SAY you are saved to a fallen world.. read what he says
Jam 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
Jam 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be [ye] warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what [doth it] profit?
Jam 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jam 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.
Jam 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
That is justified BEFORE MEN
Justified
to show, exhibit, evince, one to be righteous, such as he is and wishes himself to be considered
The saved have works that flow out of their salvation, the world can see that . (note the complaints from the Muslims about the gospel coming in with the aid for the Tsunami victims )
That work does not save those workers... but it marks them as Christ's to the world