We may well wonder, “Why is the least active of biblical responses maligned as a ‘work’? Why such concerted efforts to downplay baptism? Why have so many religions abandoned New Testament baptism and invented substitutes?” Could these attacks have to do with Satan targeting an essential response for entering the kingdom? After all, if baptism is “into Christ” (Romans 6; Galatians 3; Matthew 28), wouldn’t the devil work hard to block that entrance? If the birth of water and Spirit involves baptism (John 3), wouldn’t the enemy induce abortions rather than births? If sins are washed away in baptism (Acts 2, 22), wouldn’t the evil one try to keep us dirty? Indeed, he would. In spiritual topography, this matter is a strategic pass in the war for souls. Therefore, he must throw everything into the battle— every cunning deception, every false argument, every confusion, every incentive to disobey. He well recognizes the truth of Matthew 7, the climax of the Sermon on the Mount.
Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves…. Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven…. Everyone then who hears these words of Mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock (Matthew 7:13-15, 21, 24).
The enemy is at the gate! Where else would he be? This is where he concentrates his well-disguised deceivers—“false prophets.” If they can re-define faith so as to omit basics necessary to “enter the kingdom,” then they can undermine every other obedience. Disrespect for Christ’s authority is what we witness in so much of Christendom.
Faith is more than saying, “Lord, Lord.” It must include doing the Lord’s will.
All this relates directly to faith and works. Jesus knows how He defines faith, and it includes doing the Lord’s revealed will (Matthew 7:21, 24). Satan far prefers “faith by itself… faith alone” (James 2:17, 24), faith that merely calls, “Lord, Lord.” His redefinition seduces people into imagining that they have a relationship with Jesus. With lives full of supernatural experiences, they enjoy supreme confidence… until the very moment they hear the awful truth: “I never knew you.” Even greater is the tragedy of their influence. Their examples and eloquence powerfully sweep “many” others into the same deception (Matthew 7:13, 22).
These are the crucial truths with which Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:13-27), and they are the truths with which we conclude this course. We must define faith as Jesus defines it. We must define works as Scripture defines them in its respective contexts. We must reflect the Bible’s emphasis and balance. We must avoid imbalance, especially at the outset, because that determines so much to follow. Our eternal destiny is wrapped up in true definitions and healthy balance.