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? and then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Matthew 7:22, 23
The passage cited above has reference to those who will be standing before the Lord Christ Jesus in the final judgement. Pictured here are those who say to Christ, "See, we’ve done many wonderful things in your name." Note the answer he says he will give to many who make this argument: "I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
The word "iniquity" means literally unrighteousness, and comes from the Greek, anomia, meaning literally lawlessness according to Vines Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. The idea is that of those who have transgressed the rule of God’s law. Note that Jesus did not deny that many of the things that these people did were in and of themselves "good works." He simply said that they were works of iniquity, and because of this they were told to depart from him.
By studying this passage we can see that it is not enough to simply do good works. These works must also be in accordance with instructions set forth in God’s law. In Romans 15:4, the scripture tells us that those things which were written aforetime were written for our learning. With this in mind, we may look to the Old Testament for examples. One such example is that of Nadab and Abihu.
In Leviticus 10:1 we find that the sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu burned incense and offered strange fire before the Lord. Why was this fire strange? The text says that it is because the Lord "commanded them not." Something about the offering made by Nadab and Abihu did not follow the instructions given to Moses by God. As a result of their offering this strange fire, the scripture says, "there went our fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord."
Was offering a incense a good thing to do? Of course! What made this particular offering unacceptable is that they did it in a way other than the way that God commanded it. Because "he commanded them not," their action was without law, without authority, and a work of iniquity.
The Lord expected those of Nadab and Abihu’s day to keep his law exactly as he gave it. Does he expect the same from us? Jesus says in John 14:15, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." II Timothy 3:15-17 has this to say, "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." The good works spoken of here are in accordance with God’s laws, "the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."
We are to "Fear God and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man," Ecclesiastes 12:13. For this reason, I urge you to follow the commandment of God found in II Timothy 2:15, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
By Mance J. Davis Jr.
