Wow, how artfully you distorted what Jesus said. He very clearly taught that his followers were to do good works.
:nono: Actually the opposite: Conditions to be met, not commands you or I can accomplish. Please listen (not to agree, just to know): this is a HUGE paradigm difference between JW's and us: We believe MANY of your 'commands' aren't commands, but rather that Jesus is 'describing' a condition to be met. In fact, Hebrews goes into great depth that God will write His laws on hearts ("He" "His" work, the condition to be met
is God's work). See John 8:24 Compare it to Ephesians 2:8-10
Look KR, I know you disagree and indeed cannot accept this. Realize however it is exactly what we believe. You couldn't possibly communicate effectively with us or convert us to your way of thinking. What you can do, is 1) see it in futility and 2) see the incredibly deep conviction of it: Jesus didn't call us to 'do' but explain rather what
we have to be. At the very least, I think it something you can grasp.
Now you come along and say that he really didn't want them to do works in his name? Come on.
Yes, this is a semblance with a few explanations of some of what I am saying. It is 'better' explained in the paragraph above, but yes, most of what Jesus actually commanded, was for the Jewish disciples. Rather, the 'conditions to be met" must precede any 'doing' otherwise it is just works of the flesh.
Matthew 7:21-23 refers to those religions whose leaders say "oh didn't we do this and that for you?" but he already said that only those doing the will of his Father would gain the Kingdom of heaven (Matt.7:21). They were obviously those who WEREN'T doing the will of the Father.
Yes, a 'condition' to be met that ONLY He can meet. See Ephesians 2:8&9 then 10