I want to take a look at the JST for Matthew 7: 21-23.

KJV  Matt 7:21-23
JST
comments
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.
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.  For the day soon cometh, that men shall come before me to judgment, to be judged according to their works.
The JST adds a whole sentence on the end of the verse to make clear that this anticipated situation takes place at the day of judgment and that these people aren’t pushed away by Christ until post mortality.  They are given every chance in life to repent and have refused.  Without this clarification, we might think that a person coming to Christ in this life would not be able to count on being received.
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?
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.
And then will I say, Ye never knew me: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Here the JST clarifies that it is not that Christ doesn’t know those who work iniquity.  He is familiar with their lives, having done His best to try to reclaim them.  He is perfectly acquainted with their sins and weaknesses and pains and struggles, having suffered for them.  But for all that, these people have refused or neglected to repent in the manner commanded, and so have never known Christ or His goodness, for all they have professed to know.  (see my other blog post that goes deeper into this)

 I think the main principles the JST clarifies here is how we allhave our chances to repent and come to Christ, but at judgment day, the chances are over.  Also, if we are condemned at that day, it will be because wehave refused to repent and know Christ.  Every one of us, until we repent, is one “who works iniquity.”  No pointing fingers to say, “yes, those people over there better repent” because we have sinned too.



Continue reading at the original source →