The discourses in the Sermon of the Mountain and in Matthew 25, like most discourses of Christ, were given His disciples. However, the distinction drawn between the sheep and the goats is not a distinction between groups of disciples but distinctions between the elect and the reprobate. The distinction if expressed solely in terms of their good works or absense of good works. The eventual result is eternal salvation or eternal condemnation. So,
1. We are judged by our works.
2. Our salvation is not secure till we die and are judged on the entirety of our works (for example, a “goat” might repent, as you yourself note, or a “sheep” may fall into sin.
Since the Cross accounts for nothing in such a theology, it isn’t surprising that one has to hope to remain in fellowship for a further judgment in order to receive salvation, but Christ has indeed provided a much more robust of a redemption, finished forevermore, not requiring any further work for it to qualify for the full redemption of all sin in all mankind.
It is simply for man to turn to God, through faith in Him for forgiveness of sins, then God is free to provide salvation to the believer by His grace. Do you find God to be further encumbered? Unable to provide grace in eternal live to the believer until after even more faith and good works are performed to make Him a debtor?
I agree you can find that in the scriptures...But it does not apply to Christians...We as Christians have been judged already and have been found to be just...
We have eternal life RIGHT NOW and we shall NOT fall into condemnation...
The judgment of works is a judgment of rewards..
If you could work your way into heaven then Christ died in vain .
If one is trying to work their way into heaven than their "works " are not done for the glory of God..but for the salvation of themselves... God will not be mocked....
Romans 4: 4Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness
. 6Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
8Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Catholic theology makes God mans debtor.. HE OWES YOU SALVATION ..LOOK AT ALL YOU HAVE DONE
To this Christ says "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
2. Our salvation is not secure till we die and are judged on the entirety of our works (for example, a “goat” might repent, as you yourself note, or a “sheep” may fall into sin.
The goats were always goats.. the sheep were always sheep ..The work the goats did were filthy bloody menstruation clothes to a Holy God.. Because they were not work ordained by Him.. they were works of the natural man seeking his own ends..and not the glory of God .. The Sheep did the good works BECAUSE they were His sheep..they did not do them to BECOME sheep.. They did the works ordained by God for them ...not self works seeking God but works to glorify Him ...Look at what they say to Christ..
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord,when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 4
They were not seeking Christ or His approval or His reward for their work.. They were just being sheep
The sheep will always sin.. But praise God they have an advocate with the Father that showers them with His grace and has already washed them clean as snow,
The goats on the other hand try to wash themselves clean but can never do it..