What did Jesus mean when He said, “I never knew you (knowing). Depart from me?”
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one WHO DOES (doing) THE WILL OF MY FATHER who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I NEVER KNEW YOU; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” (Matthew 7:21-23)
It seems strange to hear our all-knowing (Omniscient) Lord say there’s someone He doesn’t know. Jesus refers not to an INTELLECTUAL KNOWLEDGE here but to a RELATIONAL KNOWLEDGE. To understand a verse, we must always start with the context (the words that come just before and after a word, phrase or statement and help to understand its meaning). Jesus is wrapping up His Sermon on the Mount with a FINAL WARNING about true faith. Jesus predicts that false Christian prophets will be coming as wolves in sheep’s clothing, “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.” (Matthew 7:15)
Paul warned the Ephesian Elders, “I know full well that after I leave you, false teachers, like vicious wolves, will appear among you, NOT SPARING THE FLOCK. Some of you yourselves will distort the truth in order to draw a following.” (Acts 20:29-30)
SO, WHAT DO WE DO?
- PRAY: Jesus said, “…when you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray…that they MAY BE SEEN by men. But you, when you pray, GO INTO YOUR ROOM, and when you have SHUT YOUR DOOR, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret WILL REWARD YOU OPENLY.” (Matthew 6:5-6) “He who dwells (lives) in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide (remain) under the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalms 91:1) When we make an effort to get into a private place with God, He will honor that effort and REVEAL HIMSELF TO US, to protect us.
- STUDY: “Study earnestly to present yourself APPROVED TO GOD, a workman that does not need to be ashamed (humiliated), rightly dividing the Word of Truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15) The Bible teaches us that God’s Word is full of Life and Power. (Hebrews 4:12) That when we read God’s Word, He BREATHES IT INTO US! In (2 Timothy 3:16) it says “All scripture is theopneustos (God’s breath). God wants us to know what He is saying to us.
- APPLY: Jesus said, “It is written: ‘Man shall not LIVE ON bread alone, but on EVERY WORD that comes from the mouth of God.'” (Matthew 4:4) “…that the man of God may be COMPLETE, FULLY EQUIPPED for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16) “My feet have closely followed His steps; I have kept to His way without turning aside. I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have TREASURED THE WORDS OF HIS MOUTH MORE THAN MY NECESSARY FOOD.” (Job 23:11-12)
WE KNOW THE LORD BY KNOWING HIS WORD! WE SERVE THE LORD BY DOING HIS WORD!
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham