Grace Evangelical Society

P.O. Box 1308, Denton, TX 76202
  • About
    • Home
    • Beliefs
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
  • Resources
    • Grace in Focus Blog
    • Grace in Focus International Blogs
    • Grace in Focus Radio
    • Grace in Focus Magazine
    • Free eBooks
    • Journal of the GES
    • Book Reviews
    • Partners in Grace Newsletter
    • Audio Messages
    • Videos
    • Email Subscription
    • Bookstore
    • Online Tracts
  • Store
    • Main Page
    • On Sale
    • Return Policy
    • Your Cart
    • Your Account
  • Events
  • Seminary
    • Seminary Info
    • Fall 2023 Classes
    • GES Seminary Curriculum
    • GES Seminary Faculty
  • Connect
    • Contact Us
    • Free Grace Church and Bible Study Tracker
    • Free Grace Jobs
    • Ministry Links
  • Donate
    • One Time Donation
    • Monthly Donation
    • Your Account
  • Search
Home
→
Blog
→
How Do You Know You’ve Done God’s Will Re. Salvation? (Matthew 7:21-23)

How Do You Know You’ve Done God’s Will Re. Salvation? (Matthew 7:21-23)

May 11, 2021 by Bob Wilkin in Blog - John 8:24, Matthew 7:21-23, the will of the Father regarding salvation

A reader from Europe asks,

I have two questions about Free Grace Theology and Matt 7:21-23.

First, you say in your book Secure and Sure that the problem in Matt 7:21-23 is that they did not believe in Jesus for eternal life. But how is this compatible with John 8:24, “I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins,” which indicates that merely facts about Him (that He is the Messiah) would be enough?

Second, could Matt 7:21-23 be about lack of sanctification (compare 1 Thess 4:3)?

I have written on Matt 7:21-23 here and Zane Hodges and I wrote about it here. The following summarizes those extended explanations.

All faith is propositional. That is, all faith involves being convinced that some proposition is true. The sky is blue. Biden is President. God is good. Those are all propositions.

In order to be born again, we must believe the saving proposition. That proposition is given in John 3:16: whoever believes in Jesus Christ will not perish but has everlasting life. It is possible to believe other propositions about Jesus and yet not believe that one. Most in Christianity believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead, but do not believe that anyone who simply believes in Him has everlasting life.

Another way of stating the saving proposition is found in John 8:24. To believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, is the same as believing that whoever believes in Him has everlasting life. Compare what Jesus said in John 11:25-26a with Martha’s explanation in John 11:27 of why she believes that. Compare also John’s purpose statement in John 20:30-31. In a Biblical sense, if I believe that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of God,” that means I believe that He guarantees everlasting life to all who simply believe in Him for it.

No, “the will of the Father” in Matt 7:21 does not refer to progressive sanctification. It refers to believing in His Son. Compare John 5:24; 6:40.

Admittedly, Matt 7:21-23 can easily be misunderstood. How? If we do not already believe the message of John 3:16, we may misinterpret Matt 7:21-23 to be teaching salvation by works. In reality, the Lord is denouncing salvation by works there (as he also does in John 5:39-40 and John 6:28-29). Anyone who looks to his works to indicate why he should get into Christ’s kingdom is not believing the faith-alone message.

To find the saving proposition, I suggest you go to the book whose purpose is evangelistic, John’s Gospel. Don’t go to a book about discipleship (Matthew) in order to gain your understanding of the saving proposition.

Subscribe by Email

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
Bob_W

by Bob Wilkin

Bob Wilkin (ThM, PhD, Dallas Theological Seminary) is the Founder and Executive Director of Grace Evangelical Society and co-host of Grace in Focus Radio. He lives in Highland Village, TX with his wife, Sharon. His latest books are Faith Alone in One Hundred Verses and Turn and Live: The Power of Repentance.

If you wish to ask a question about a given blog, email us your question at ges@faithalone.org.

Cart

Recently Added

September 26, 2023

Is It Possible that Charles Templeton Is With the Lord Even Though He Died an Atheist?

Welcome to Grace in Focus radio. Today, Bob Wilkin and Ken Yates are answering a question about eternal security and especially the extent of eternal...
September 26, 2023

You Can Believe the Small Things Too (Luke 1:18) 

When Gabriel told Zacharias that he and his wife would have a son, and that the son would be John the Baptist, I find Zacharias’...
September 25, 2023

Were Old Testament Saints and Will Tribulation Saints Be Sealed by the Holy Spirit? Are Roman Catholics Saved?

Welcome to Grace in Focus radio. Today, Bob Wilkin and Ken Yates are answering a question about the ministries of the Holy Spirit toward redeemed...

Grace in Focus Radio

All Episodes

Listen on Google Podcasts

Listen on Spotify

Grace In Focus Magazine

Grace In Focus is sent to subscribers in the United States free of charge.

Subscribe for Free

The primary source of Grace Evangelical Society's funding is through charitable contributions. GES uses all contributions and proceeds from the sales of our resources to further the gospel of grace in the United States and abroad.

Donate

Bookstore Specials

  • Here Walks My Enemy: The Story of Luis (Paperback) $6.95 $3.00
  • Elisabeth: Christ's Medal of Honor Recipient $11.95 $10.00
  • Six Secrets of the Christian Life (Second Edition, Includes Study Questions) $6.00 $4.00
  • Faith Alone in One Hundred Verses $15.00 $10.00
  • Tough Texts: Did Jesus Teach Salvation by Works? $15.00 $10.00
Grace Evangelical Society

(940) 270-8827 / ges@faithalone.org

4851 S I-35E Suite 203, Corinth, TX 76210
P.O. Box 1308, Denton, TX 76202

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube