Few passages in Scripture are more sobering than Jesus’ declaration in Matthew 7:21-23. These words, delivered at the end of the Sermon on the Mount, have echoed down the ages, challenging both casual adherents and devoted believers to examine the authenticity of their faith. Here, at the close of this great sermon, Jesus unveils a scene that should give us all pause…

The Text in Context

“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 workers of lawlessness.‘” (Matthew 7:21-23)

These words come as the dramatic conclusion to Jesus’ teaching about true and false disciples. They follow His warnings about false prophets and precede His parable of the wise and foolish builders, forming a trilogy of teachings about authentic faith versus mere religious profession.

Understanding “Lord, Lord”: The False Profession

The repetition of “Lord, Lord” is significant. In Hebrew idiom, repetition indicates intensity and sincerity. These individuals aren’t casual churchgoers or nominal Christians—they’re fervent, convinced believers in their own standing before Christ. Their cry shows they recognise Jesus’ authority and believe themselves to be His followers.

This makes the passage all the more troubling. These aren’t atheists, sceptics, or adherents of other religions. These are people who’ve operated within the church, who’ve used Jesus’ name, who’ve considered themselves His servants. Yet something fundamental is missing.

“Did We Not…”: Examining False Evidences

The defence offered by these individuals is telling. They point to three categories of supernatural ministry:

• Prophesying in Jesus’ name
• Exorcising demons
• Performing mighty works

Notice these aren’t minor achievements. These people had powerful ministries that appeared to demonstrate God’s approval. They had gifts that impressed others and seemed to validate their spiritual authority. Yet Jesus’ response shows spectacular spiritual gifts can coexist with an unregenerate heart.

“I Never Knew You”: The Heart of the Matter

The key to understanding this passage lies in Jesus’ response. He doesn’t say, “You lost your salvation” or “You fell away.” He says, “I never knew you.” This is crucial for understanding the Reformed perspective on this text.

The word “knew” here carries the weight of intimate, saving relationship. It’s the same kind of “knowing” used in passages like “The Lord knows those who are his” (2 Timothy 2:19) and “You only have I known of all the families of the earth” (Amos 3:2). This knowing is bound up with God’s sovereign election and effectual calling.

Jesus’ use of “never” indicates that despite their impressive spiritual activities, these individuals were never in a genuine saving relationship with Him. They had the external trappings of faith without its internal reality.

“Workers of Lawlessness”: The True State Revealed

The final indictment—”workers of lawlessness” (ergazomenoi tēn anomian)—reveals their true spiritual state. Despite their apparent good works, their fundamental orientation was toward lawlessness—not necessarily moral chaos, but independence from God’s true authority. Their works, though impressive, flowed from unregenerate hearts seeking their own glory rather than God’s.

The Reformed Perspective on True vs. False Faith

This passage powerfully illustrates the Reformed distinction between temporary and saving faith. Temporary faith can produce impressive external results. It can generate religious enthusiasm, supernatural gifts—even apparent success in ministry. But saving faith is different—it’s a gift of God that produces heart transformation and genuine submission to Christ’s lordship.

The crucial difference lies not in the external impressiveness of one’s ministry but in the presence or absence of a genuine, saving relationship with Christ. This relationship is initiated by God in election, accomplished through Christ’s redemption, and applied by the Spirit in regeneration.

Conclusion

This passage is among Scripture’s most crucial warnings against false assurance. It reminds us the essential question is not “What have I done for Christ?” but “Does Christ know me?” The answer to that question lies not in our impressive spiritual achievements but in the reality of our relationship with Him.

True salvation manifests itself not primarily in dramatic spiritual gifts but in a transformed heart that loves Christ and seeks to do the Father’s will. It’s characterised not by what we achieve for God but by what God has achieved in us through Christ.

For those truly in Christ, this passage need not produce despair. Rather, it should drive us to ensure our faith is genuine—rooted not in our religious achievements but in Christ’s finished work and our authentic relationship with Him.

The security for true believers rests not on their own works or experiences, but in Christ’s perfect righteousness and God’s unchangeable purpose. Those whom He truly knows, He knows eternally. And those whom He knows will increasingly reflect His character through a life of genuine—if often imperfect—obedience.

 

I Never Knew You—Related FAQs

What does Jesus mean when He says only those who “do the will of the Father” will enter heaven? How do we reconcile this with salvation by faith alone? The Father’s will is beautifully and precisely defined in Scripture itself. In John 6:29, Jesus directly answers this question: “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” Similarly, 1 John 3:23 declares that God’s command is “to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another.” This shows us that doing the Father’s will isn’t about achieving a list of religious performances but is fundamentally about believing in Christ and demonstrating that belief through love. The true “work” God requires is faith in His Son—a faith that, when genuine, inevitably produces love and obedience. This understanding preserves both the truth of salvation by faith alone and the reality that genuine faith is never alone in its effects.

How does this passage speak to the truly regenerate? Far from causing despair, this passage actually provides comfort to true believers by highlighting the difference between genuine faith and mere religious activity. It reminds us that our security lies not in our religious performances but in Christ’s finished work and our genuine relationship with Him. The very fact that this warning causes self-examination rather than defensive pride is itself often a mark of true faith.

Can someone lose their salvation? Those who’re truly saved—those whom Christ has genuinely “known”—cannot and will not ultimately fall away, as Jesus explicitly says “I never knew you” rather than “I knew you once.” True salvation involves God’s unchangeable election, Christ’s perfect redemption, and the Spirit’s preserving work, making it eternally secure. The apparent falling away of some reveals not the loss of salvation but that they never truly possessed it.

How can I be sure I’m not among those Jesus will reject? The key lies not in achieving a perfect life but in examining the direction and desires of your heart—do you find yourself loving what God loves and hating what He hates, even while struggling with sin? Look for evidences of spiritual life: genuine sorrow over sin, hunger for God’s Word, love for Christ’s people, and desire for His glory rather than just His gifts. Remember that the very presence of this concern often indicates spiritual life.

What’s the relationship between works and salvation? Good works are the fruit, not the root, of salvation—they are its evidence, not its cause. Salvation is entirely by grace through faith in Christ, but this saving faith inevitably produces good works as its natural result. Our works don’t save us or keep us saved, but their presence (however imperfect) confirms the reality of our salvation.

How does this passage relate to the doctrine of perseverance? This passage powerfully illustrates that true believers persevere not through their own strength but through Christ’s preserving work. The fact that Jesus says “I never knew you” rather than “I knew you once” shows that genuine salvation cannot be lost. Those who appear to fall away demonstrate they were never truly His, while those He truly knows will persevere to the end through His faithfulness.

How are assurance and perseverance related? How may I have both? Assurance flows from understanding that the same God who began the good work will bring it to completion—our perseverance depends on His faithfulness, not our performance. We grow in assurance as we see evidence of His continuing work in our lives through our increasing desire for holiness, love for His people, and genuine (though imperfect) obedience. The Holy Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, producing both perseverance and assurance.

How may I develop authentic spiritual disciplines? Authentic spiritual disciplines develop not through rigid rule-following but through growing love for Christ and desire for communion with Him. Focus on Christ’s love and finished work rather than your own performance, letting gratitude rather than guilt drive your devotional life. Remember that spiritual disciplines are means of grace—channels through which we experience more of Christ’s already-complete work in us.

How may I cultivate a genuine relationship with Christ? A genuine relationship with Christ grows through consistent time in His Word, authentic prayer, and regular meditation on His gospel. Focus on knowing Christ Himself rather than merely knowing about Him, approaching Scripture not just for information but for transformation. Remember that intimacy with Christ develops through both planned devotional times and moment-by-moment dependence on Him throughout your day.

What role does the local church play in developing spiritual authenticity? The local church is God’s primary means for nurturing authentic faith through the preached Word, sacraments, and communion of saints. In the context of genuine church community, we experience both encouragement and accountability, helping us distinguish between genuine faith and mere religious activity. The local church provides the context where our faith is tested, refined, and authenticated through relationships with other believers.

 

I Never Knew You—Our Related Posts

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• God’s Foreknowledge: Far More Than Mere Foresight