Matthew 7:23 is referring to a works based salvation. There is no way around it. With such comments as -> "but he that doeth the will of my Father" and "have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?"
When rightly divided, you will find that eternal salvation is truly by grace, but that our present salvation is by works (works of righteousness such as believing, baptism, prayer, etc...) because it is our reward for obedience. Disobedience brings with it the chastening of God, to which Matthew 7:23 refers, not everlasting punishment. If we are disobedient, we loose our present salvation and life. If we sin we die, but if we are obedient we live.
"For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace"
"For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live"
If we love Christ, then He and the Father will come and make thier abode within us in the form of the Holy Spirit. If we sin, we grieve the Spirit and can eventually quench the Spirit. The result is the departing of the Holy Spirit and so also the presence of Christ and the Father within us.
"Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace"
Keep in mind that the Holy Spirit is the earnest [small amount given in advance] of the same inheritance that we are bequeeathed at regeneration. Examine carefully Ephesians 1.
A works based salvation?
Matthew 7:23 is referring to a works based salvation. There is no way around it. With such comments as -> "but he that doeth the will of my Father" and "have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?"
When rightly divided, you will find that eternal salvation is truly by grace, but that our present salvation is by works (works of righteousness such as believing, baptism, prayer, etc...) because it is our reward for obedience. Disobedience brings with it the chastening of God, to which Matthew 7:23 refers, not everlasting punishment. If we are disobedient, we loose our present salvation and life. If we sin we die, but if we are obedient we live.
"For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace"
"For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live"
If we love Christ, then He and the Father will come and make thier abode within us in the form of the Holy Spirit. If we sin, we grieve the Spirit and can eventually quench the Spirit. The result is the departing of the Holy Spirit and so also the presence of Christ and the Father within us.
"Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace"
Keep in mind that the Holy Spirit is the earnest [small amount given in advance] of the same inheritance that we are bequeeathed at regeneration. Examine carefully Ephesians 1.