I Never Knew You Series

In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus says, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"

The Context

This statement is part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, where He emphasizes the importance of living a righteous life, not just professing faith. Jesus warns against self-deception, highlighting that not everyone who claims to be a follower of God will enter heaven.

Why Jesus Says "I Never Knew You"

Jesus' statement "I never knew you" is not a denial of God's omniscience, but rather a declaration that these individuals were never in a genuine relationship with Him. The Greek word for "knew" (ginosko) implies intimacy and personal connection.

In essence, Jesus is saying that these people may have claimed to be His followers, but their actions and hearts were far from Him.

Characteristics of Those Who Are "Unknown" to Jesus

The passage highlights several characteristics of those who are "unknown" to Jesus:

Lip service: They claim to be followers of Jesus, but their words are not backed by actions (Matthew 7:21).

Self-deception: They believe they are doing God's work, but their motives and actions are misguided (Matthew 7:22).

Lack of obedience: They do not do the will of God, despite claiming to be His followers (Matthew 7:21).

The Consequences

The consequences of being "unknown" to Jesus are severe:

Exclusion from heaven: Jesus explicitly states that these individuals will not enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:21).

Separation from God: Jesus tells them to depart from Him, emphasizing their separation from God (Matthew 7:23).

Conclusion

Jesus' statement "I never knew you" serves as a warning to those who claim to be His followers but do not live according to His teachings. It emphasizes the importance of a genuine, heart-driven relationship with God, rather than mere lip service or self-deception.

As believers, we must examine our lives and ensure that our actions, motives, and hearts are aligned with God's will. Only then can we be confident that we are truly known by Jesus.