I Never Knew You
Matthew 7:21–23 (ESV)
"Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does 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.’”
These are some of the most sobering words in all of Scripture. Jesus is not speaking to atheists or the openly rebellious. He is speaking to people who claim to follow Him. People who know His name. People who do religious things. Yet on the day of judgment, He says, "I never knew you."
That phrase should stop us in our tracks.
The Danger of Performance Without Relationship
What’s most shocking is that the people Jesus turns away are surprised. They had been busy doing spiritual work: prophesying, casting out demons, performing miracles. In today’s context, we might think of pastors preaching sermons, worship leaders leading songs, or church members heavily involved in ministry.
But here is the warning. Outward activity does not equal inward surrender. It is entirely possible to do the right things for the wrong reasons or to do them without truly knowing Jesus. Works alone cannot save. In fact, good works without genuine faith can become a mask that hides spiritual emptiness, even from ourselves.
What It Means to “Know” Jesus
To know Jesus is not the same as knowing about Him. It is about walking with Him daily. It involves trust, obedience, and transformation. True faith leads to a changed heart—a heart that desires to do the will of God.
Jesus makes it clear that the one who enters the kingdom is the one who does the will of the Father. This does not mean we have to be perfect. It means we must be surrendered. It means our lives reflect the desire to follow God rather than ourselves.
A Call to Examine Our Lives
This passage is not meant to scare us for the sake of fear. It is a wake-up call. It invites us to ask honest questions about our faith.
Do we know Jesus?
Does He know us?
Are we seeking His will, or are we just using His name for our own gain?
Grace That Invites Us Back
Jesus does not leave us in confusion. He invites us into relationship. Through repentance and faith, we are brought near to Him—not because of what we do, but because of His grace. From that relationship, obedience begins to flow naturally. It is not a burden. It is a response of love.
Let us not settle for calling Him “Lord” without living as His disciples. Let us draw close, listen well, and walk in obedience so that one day, we will not hear “I never knew you,” but instead, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Reflection Questions:
Am I relying on religious activity, or on a real relationship with Jesus?
In what areas of my life am I resisting God’s will?
What does it look like for me to know Jesus more deeply this week?
Now is the time to seek Him. He is near to those who call on Him in truth.