^“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’” Matthew 25:35-36

            In Matthew, Jesus responded to the separation of believers and non-believers who asked why they received heaven or hell as their eternity.  Jesus based it on how they treated others—giving, feeding, clothing, helping, visiting.  All of it seems to be based on works.

            We know from previous scenarios that salvation is never based on works, but on faith.  We can’t impress God with our good works so that he must allow us into heaven.  This statement supports the James 2:14-26 statements that “faith without works is dead.”  Jesus focused on the evidence of their faith, but did not base their reward on their works.  Because they were saved, the believers did good deeds.  Because they weren’t saved, the non-believers did no good deeds.

            The parable is not based on works, but the evidence of one’s faith.