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This passage tends to shake many people, and it should. It is meant to cause you to question yourself. But let's be clear about the real issues...what does this passage really say? And what doesn't it say?

We know from other Scripture, that salvation is not by things we do. So the deeds mentioned in this passage are evidence of two things...(1) that many will pretend to know Christ and do great things in his name, but never truly know him...(2) that many people will argue for their good works, rather than the sacrifice of Christ at the cross for the reason for entering heaven.

Doing the things that God wants is the fruit of a true relationship with Christ. At it's heart, it does involve serving others and sharing the message of Christ out of love for God and others. But serving and sharing are not things that get us into heaven. They are the results of our personal relationship with Christ, because he paid the price for our sins. His death on the cross is why we know him. That alone allows us to enter heaven.