Jesus said, I never knew you. Why?
by Shari Abbott, Reasons for Hope* Jesus | Aug 13, 2013
Question
I am a believer and have been a Christian for years. However, there’s one part of the Bible that confuses me. It’s where Christians say to Jesus that they did many miracles and works in His name, but He says that he never knew them. I thought if you’re saved, and if signs and wonders follow you (they did miracles in Jesus’ name), that it showed you have a relationship with Jesus and will go to Heaven. Who were these miracle workers that did all these great works only to be rejected and Jesus saying He didn’t know them. Am I 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.
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.
“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 their eternal destiny will be determined. This judgment will not include those who have been saved during the age of the Holy Spirit, in which we live. Our judgment for our eternal destiny was done at the cross. Our sins were laid upon Jesus and He paid the penalty for them. When we repent and trust in Him, we receive forgiveness of our sins and His righteousness is imputed to us (the Great Exchange, 2 Corinthians 5:21). We also receive eternal life with Him (John 3:16) and the gift of the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us (John 16:13). And, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30).
The judgment spoken of in Matthew 7 is often referred to the Great White Throne Judgment. It is a judgment of non-believers, and it is a judgment of works. Remember, nobody has works worthy of Heaven — none are righteous, no not one (Romans 3:10). Not all the good works in the world can wipe away the penalty of sin. But as Christians, our sins are paid for by the blood of the perfect, righteous Lamb of God. It is by His work that we are made worthy of Heaven.
When Jesus spoke these words recorded in Matthew 7:21-23, he had just finished talking about how we can judge false prophets by their fruit (Matthew 7:15-20) The passage is very clear. It speaks of wolves that look like sheep, thorns that look like grapes and thistles that look like figs.
Jesus spoke of the contrast of good or fruitful trees and corrupt trees with bad fruit:
Matthew 7:17-20 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Man’s “fruits” are his works. So with these words, Jesus reminds us that we cannot judge the heart of man, but we can judge his works. Both the profession of faith in Christ and the evidence of the fruits of faith should be apparent in every believer’s life. If we don’t see good fruit in the life of someone who professes to be a follower of Christ, we should wonder. And that wondering should cause us to share the gospel with them. Hopefully, it will call them to repentance and they will begin to exhibit good “fruit” in their lives. If they are someone who is not saved, hopefully sharing the gospel will turn their hearts to Christ.
Let’s now consider those in the Matthew 7 passage who have evidence of good 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 right relationship with Himself. Jesus lived the perfect life and willingly went to the cross, dying the atoning death that opened the way for forgiveness of sins.
We know that salvation is the will of 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. It 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.
You might say, how can we judge their hearts? Well, we aren’t judging their hearts. In this 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? They give as evidence of their worthiness the good works that they have done, not Jesus’ work willingly done for them and in accordance with the will of the Father.
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 righteousness of Jesus which is freely given to all who repent and trust in Him.
These people have not understood that there isn’t any good work man can do to earn salvation.
Because God loves us, He sent His Son into the world.
Because God loves us, He offered up His Son for us that we might be made righteous by the blood of the Lamb.
Because God loves us, we receive the Holy Spirit when we turn to Christ in faith.
When Jesus saves us, we enter into a relationship with Him. We know Him and He knows us! We will never hear the words, “I never knew you: depart from me.” But for those who are counting on their own good works to earn a place in the Kingdom of Heaven, although they may think they know Jesus, they will hear Him say, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:23)
Remember there are wolves who look like sheep, thorns that look like grapes, thistles that look like figs, and there are also non-Christians who look like Christians, because of their words or their good works. Our words and our works should be a reflection of what’s in our hearts. If these people truly knew Jesus they would be praising His works, not their own. If these people truly knew Jesus they would say, but for the grace of God, I am not worthy of Your Kingdom.
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 His 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)
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