Paul says that once one believes in Jesus as savior is “saved”, no works needed for “salvation. Belief is all one needs to be righteous — “righteousness is accounted to him for faith”, according to Paul. How is it then that the unfaithful and disobedient servants of the Lord will suffer their punishment with the unbelievers — some with many stripes and some with few?

In the following passages Jesus tells a parable of the faithful and unjust steward of the Lord

• Jesus is the Lord here, since he returns

Luk 12:42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?
Luk 12:43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

• The Servant is one who serves the Lord

Luk 12:44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.
Luk 12:45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

• The disobedient servant is cast forth from his Lord and is punished with the unbelievers

Luk 12:46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

• The disobedient servant is punished for a short or long time, but not for eternity

Luk 12:47 And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
Luk 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Jesus casts forth all those who don’t keep his commandments, only those who do God’s will

21:9 “Though you be gathered together in my bosom, if you keep not my commandments I will cast you forth. For if you keep not the lesser mysteries, who shall give you the greater.”

Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

God forgives only those who forgive others

Mat 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Mat 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

God punishes those who refuse to forgive others

Mat 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Only those who do God’s will enter into the kingdom of heaven — not only those who believe

“Not every one who says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he that does the will of my Father who is in Heaven. For whosoever hears me and does my teachings, hears him that sent me. (Gospel of the Hebrews)

The righteous who do God’s will are rewarded and the disobedient are punished

And many will say to me, Lord, Lord, have we not eaten and drunk in your name and done wonders? And then will I say unto them, ‘Depart from me, you workers of iniquity. Then shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth, when the righteous shall shine like the sun, and the wicked are sent into everlasting fire. For many shall come in my name clothed outwardly in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly being ravening not forth good fruit is cast down and thrown into the fire.” (Gospel of the Hebrews)

Those who do not do God’s will are workers of iniquity.