The people sent away were workers of
iniquity, not workers of the law. Which is what you appear to be suggesting.
When you believe something, you act on it. If you don't act on it, then it's clear you don't believe it. So belief naturally leads to action. If you believe Christ, then you will obey Him. Empty faith or belief all by itself is not enough. There's plenty of that going around.
James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
The Messiah instructed us to judge people by their actions.
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Someone who professes faith in Christ, yet does not obey Him (actions), is a liar.
1 John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
The Messiah told us as much. Actions (fruit) is required.
Matthew
Listen, no one is SAVED until they get to heaven. The Bible says
''work out your salvation with fear and trembling''
''many are called, few are chosen,''
''always pray that you are counted worthy to stand before the Lamb,''
''seek with diligence that your calling and election is sure''
''The road that leads to life is VERY NARROW, and the road to destruction is very broad for the many who choose that path''
We are to seek to be counted worthy, not pray a prayer and your saved... it doesn't work like that. I don't know about you but those verses SCARE me. The devil wants you to think you are always saved so that you sear your conscience and no longer fear the Lord and no longer pursue absolute righteousness and holiness which is what we are supposed to do. Churches today are leading people astray because they aren't telling people these hard truths. REAL Christianity is TOUGH and the truths in the scriptures are VERY hard. When I read the scriptures I start to tremble because it frightens me so bad sometimes.
edit- also, in that verse, they are saying ''Lord didn't we do all these mighty things in your name?''- he's talking about Christians who THINK they are saved but never really were. Can we heal people and cast out demons and not be saved? Oh yea, and churches today aren't even doing that.
We have to become a ''good tree.'' We are not saved by WORKS per-se but if we are born of God we WILL eventually do good works. Cold religion works are what the catholic church does and are exactly the opposite of doing works out of real love from God- we are supposed to be a ''joyful giver'' and do works led by the Spirit... not with our own strength, with His strength... The good works are a by-product of BEING a good tree, walking in righteousness, and following the leading of the Holy Spirit.
I'm not perfect yet but I press on toward the prize
I'm not afraid. I don't believe God wants me to be good out of fear for my immortal soul.
Salvation is a know so thing, not a hope so.
II Timothy 1:12 "For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day."
Next verse: "Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus."
I was afraid before I was saved, I am not now. There is no fear in Jesus. Perfect love casts out fear and His love is perfect.
Romans 8:15 "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."
Next verse "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God."
I John 4:18 "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
I John 5:10-14 "He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son.
And this is the record, that God hath given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son hath not life.
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."
I have no fear for my soul. My fear is for whether or not I mess up my life down here, how it affects my witness, my disappointing my Father, grieving His heart.
But I am at perfect peace because I know whom I have trusted. It is not me, thank God!
You missed the verse after the one about working out your own salvation in fear and trembling.
Philippians 2:12-13
"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure."
God is doing the working, not us.
II Timothy 1:7-10
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.
But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
I know this is a long post, but you can KNOW you are saved. God adopts us when we're saved. He is not a father to throw away His children. He's a good father, the best. If we disappoint Him in this life, we hurt Him. If we sin, we get consequences down here. Just like an Earthly father disciplines his children. And, if we screw up, He may not give us any rewards in Heaven.
He'll never throw His children away, though. Sometimes, if they are disobedient- He'll shorten their lives down here and bring them on home. Just like if a child is misbehaving outside and his dad makes the child come home early so as not to get into more mischief.
Anyway, God is my Father and I know I will go Home to Him someday.