God has revealed Himself in three ways, according to Romans 1 and Hebrews 1:2:
- through what has been created
- through His Word, the Bible (all of it) &
- in His Son
As far as the Bible, Jesus said in Matthew 5:17-19:
“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
Then there is the issue of false prophets that He addresses by a comparison of a bad tree (the false prophets) and a good tree. He said you will know them by their fruits.
(Matthew 7:15-20)
Then there is His teaching on those who call Him “Lord,” but won’t enter the kingdom of heaven because they don’t do His well; they don’t act on His words, but instead practice lawlessness. (Matthew 7:2-29)
Jesus is the living Word.
"Least in the kingdom of heaven" implies he is in the kingdom of heaven. Which is my point. They erred, but they are still in.
Then there is His teaching on those who call Him “Lord,” but won’t enter the kingdom of heaven because they don’t do His well; they don’t act on His words, but instead practice lawlessness. (Matthew 7:2-29)
Notice that Jesus says: "Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
The relationship is key. He didn't say I used to know you but we parted ways, or I knew you, but you were lazy, or I knew you but you failed. And certainly not, I knew you, but you didn't understand all the scripture and had some screwed up beliefs." "I never knew you".
Believing in Jesus IS doing the will of the Father.
"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."
It's not works that saves us...
But as James points out, true faith ought to produce works. True faith is different than mere mental accent that Jesus is who He claims to be, for as James points out, "Even the demons believe". True faith trusts in Jesus for salvation. That faith given time produces works. But it's not the works that save you, it's the faith.
Once we believe. Once we've put faith in Jesus we have passed from death to life. We will not come into condemnation. Nothing in life nor death will separate us from the Love of God.