There’s one part of the Bible that confuses many even to this day. It’s where Christians say to Jesus that they did many miracles and works in His name, but He says, “I never knew you.”
The passage referred to is Matthew 7:21-23, and context is definitely the key to understanding this.
Matthew 7:21-23 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. 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? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Who were these miracle workers who did great works only to be rejected when Jesus said, “I never knew you”? has America been reading this out of context? How should this be understood?
Answer
The passage referred to is Matthew 7:21-23, and context is definitely the key to understanding this.
Let’s now consider those in the Matthew 7 passage who have evidence of fruit, but are denied by Jesus.
In verse 21 Jesus stated that not everyone who professes to know Him will enter the kingdom of heaven. Only those who “…do the will of My Father…”
Matthew 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.
What is the will of the Father?
Jesus’ mission on earth was to seek and save the lost:
Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Jesus was obedient to the Father’s will of restoring mankind to a right relationship with God. We know that salvation is the will of God the Father. Peter tells us that God is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). We also know that salvation is a gift from the Father. It is by grace alone, through faith (Ephesians 2:8) that we are saved. Salvation is freely given to all who repent and trust in the life, death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The people spoken of in Matthew 7:22 are those who are numbered in the group Jesus spoke of in verse 21. They will not enter the kingdom of heaven because they have not done the Father’s will. They have not repented and trusted in Christ and therefore He does not know them.
Rightful Judging
You might ask, how can we judge their hearts and say they aren’t saved?
Well, we aren’t judging their hearts.
Let’s examine the passage.
Jesus judged both their words and their works. Remember, this judgment is future, and in that day they will call upon Jesus as Lord. But on what basis do they know Him? Their words reveal their hearts. They spoke of the worthiness of their good works, the works that they had done, not the work Jesus did to secure salvation for mankind.
Matthew 7:22 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.
These people are counting on their good works to make them righteous, rather than the good work of Jesus and His imputed righteousness (2 Cor 5:21). They have not understood that there isn’t any good work that man can do to earn salvation. Salvation is never earned. It is freely given by God to those who are humbled, repent, and trust in Christ’s good work. The people claiming the merit of their good works are demonstrating pride, not humility, before God.
A Warning.
As Christians, we should understand this message as a warning. There are wolves who look like sheep, and thorns that look like grapes.
There are thistles that look like figs, and also non-Christians who look like Christians because of their words or their works.
Our words and our works should be a reflection of what’s in our hearts. Carefully judge what people say. If these people truly knew Jesus they would be praising His works, not their own works. If they truly knew Jesus they would say, “but for the grace of God, I am not worthy of Your Kingdom.” And by such a confession of faith and trust in God’s grace (Jesus’ work), they would be saved.
A Motivation
Share the gospel of saving grace with someone today. Be faithful to proclaim the goodness of the Lord. It’s all about Jesus! Help people to understand that only by trusting in Jesus’ finished work will they enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Jesus told us that He is preparing a place for those who trust in Him and He has promised, “I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14: 3
And we receive that promise because Jesus said:
“…where I go you know, and the way you know.” (John 14:4 )
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)
“In that day” is a key phrase that is used throughout the Bible to refer to a future time of judgment — a day when people will stand before God and be judged. https://youtu.be/sPIhOaDPElQ
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