[nonsporting]

"...all the references are at the bottom".

That is non-standard. Here is a more helpful way to reference:

42 Watch therefore: ... (Matthew 24:42-51)

You can include the verse numbers within, or simply site the passage at the bottom of EACH.

In Matthew 24 these were unfaithful servants, who, though they "professed", thought their works (as inconsistent as they are) were what saved them. Compare with:

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. (Matthew 7:21-23)

Note those who profess that they "know him" -- it doesn't matter. What is critical is if "he knows them". These he NEVER knew, not USED TO KNOW, but NEVER KNEW. They never really believed him, trusted in the gospel.

What is the "will of the Father"? Jesus explains:

38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 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. (John 6:38-40)

It's not just Jesus by way of John who makes this point. Even Paul echoes this:

4 Who (God) will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. (1 Timothy 2:4-6)

This is the father's will (what he desires) -- that all come to the knowledge of the truth. That truth is the gospel -- that there is one savior who is the mediator between God and men, who gave himself a ransom for all. This is not universalism, but only to those who believe the gospel, who have ceased from their labors and entered into his rest, not those who claim to have done (inconsistently) many wonderful works. God knows the truth.

1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. (Hebrews 4:1ff)

We enter into his rest by NOT trusting in our OWN works, but but trusting in HIS finished work, and his alone.

[ealgeone]

Nicely done.

[avenir]

I love Hebrews and the theme of rest. Talk about a mightily abused letter! There is so much beauty in it. Same with James. But the works-obsessed mind can’t rest because the second free grace is mentioned there is a Pavlovian RING and out come the nullifications.

They imagine objecting is from a more sincere faith, but it’s really just UNBELIEF.

[af_vet_1981]

In Matthew 24 these were unfaithful servants, who, though they "professed", thought their works (as inconsistent as they are) were what saved them.

No
1. All those in this passage are fellow servants.
2. There is no mention that these fellow servants were relying on their works. In contrast, He warned all the servants to watch, maintain their works, and not fall into the sins He mentioned.
3. In the passage you refer to, He does not call them servants. In contrast, He portrays them in the next parable as foolish because they did not hear and obey His sayings.
4. It does not matter if one defines saving faith> as "hear and obey" as long as they hear and obey. In that sense one cannot separate works from faith, for faith without works is dead. Those who love the Messiah will keep His commandments. Those who do not love Him will not keep His commandments. Works, works, works ...
5. God will render to every man according to his deeds.

[af_vet_1981]

In Matthew 24 these were unfaithful servants, who, though they "professed", thought their works (as inconsistent as they are) were what saved them.

No
1. All those in this passage are fellow servants.
2. There is no mention that these fellow servants were relying on their works. In contrast, He warned all the servants to watch, maintain their works, and not fall into the sins He mentioned.
3. In the passage you refer to, He does not call them servants. In contrast, He portrays them in the next parable as foolish because they did not hear and obey His sayings.
4. It does not matter if one defines saving faith as "hear and obey" as long as they hear and obey. In that sense one cannot separate works from faith, for faith without works is dead. Those who love the Messiah will keep His commandments. Those who do not love Him will not keep His commandments. Works, works, works ...
5. God will render to every man according to his deeds.

[af_vet_1981]

What is the "will of the Father"? Jesus explains:

38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 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. (John 6:38-40)

It's not just Jesus by way of John who makes this point. Even Paul echoes this:

4 Who (God) will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. (1 Timothy 2:4-6)

This is the father's will (what he desires) -- that all come to the knowledge of the truth. That truth is the gospel -- that there is one savior who is the mediator between God and men, who gave himself a ransom for all. This is not universalism, but only to those who believe the gospel, who have ceased from their labors and entered into his rest, not those who claim to have done (inconsistently) many wonderful works. God knows the truth.

1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. (Hebrews 4:1ff) We enter into his rest by NOT trusting in our OWN works, but but trusting in HIS finished work, and his alone.

Having considered this, it makes sense must include all the passages that speak about the will of God to adequately discuss "the will of the Father." Let us examine some more of them in addition to the one already posted from John. As for Hebrews, it is true that without faith it is impossible to please God, and that those with faith will show that faith by works of faith(as the so called Roll Call of Faith in Hebrews demonstrates). So, one is not saved by believing one is saved, but by hearing and doing the sayings of the Messiah.


1. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
   
   First Peter, Catholic chapter two, Protestant verses eleven to fifteen,
   as authorized, but not authored, by King James
   
   
2. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
   
   Romans, Catholic chapter twelve, Protestant verses one to two,
   as authorized, but not authored, by King James
   
   
3. Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
   
   First Thessalonians, Catholic chapter four, Protestant verses one to twelve,
   as authorized, but not authored, by King James