Hollow Words, Hollow Works:

James’ point is that a hypocrite may say the words but his actions do not back up his claim.  A hypocrite says he trusts Christ but does not actually believe his own words.  Such a person is hollow inside because Christ does not live in his heart.  The only thing such a person can offer is hollow words and hollow words will not qualify a person for eternal life.

Matthew makes a similar claim.  A person with saving faith will do the will of the Father.  John provides more insight into the will of the Father:

John 6:40:  And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

John emphasizes that Heavenly Father’s will is that everyone will trust (have faith) in his Son and thereby receive eternal life.  Going back to Matthew, in the verse following 7:21 he shows people who have faith in Jesus (calling him Lord), but who point to their own  “wonderful works” as the reason they should enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 7:22-23:  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? ²³And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

These people have faith and works. But Jesus says he does not know them. They failed to follow the Father’s will.  They did not believe that faith in Jesus alone results in everlasting life.  Their faith in their own works shows they did not trust solely in Heavenly Father’s Son.  Their works were done to gain eternal life for themselves.  Such works are self-serving.  Such works can not be freely given as gifts to Heavenly Father because they are performed out of obligation.

People with saving faith perform works not because they must, not because they are obligated; but because it is their heart’s desire.  The people pictured by Matthew, like the hypocrites, are hollow inside.  Christ does not live in their hearts and so he does not know them.  The only thing these people can offer is hollow works.