“I Never Knew You”: A Sobering Call from Matthew 7:21–23

“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 in heaven. On that day many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in Your name, and do many miracles in Your name?’ Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!’” – Matthew 7:21–23 (CSB)

Few passages in the Bible are as startling and sobering as these words of Jesus. They pierce through religious pretense and force us to consider the difference between outward appearances of faith and genuine, saving relationship with Christ.

1. Empty Confession Is Not Enough

Jesus warns that simply saying, “Lord, Lord” does not guarantee entrance into the kingdom. Words can be cheap when not backed by genuine faith and obedience. It is possible to know the right titles for Jesus without truly knowing Him. Faith is not just verbal affirmation—it is a transformed life rooted in Christ.

2. Religious Activity Does Not Equal Salvation

The people Jesus describes were not irreligious. They had impressive resumes: prophesying, driving out demons, and performing miracles—all in His name. Yet Jesus exposes the danger of mistaking religious activity for relationship. Works, no matter how spectacular, cannot replace obedience to the Father’s will. Ministry without intimacy with Christ is ultimately empty.

3. The Test of True Discipleship

Jesus makes clear that entrance into the kingdom depends on “the one who does the will of My Father.” This is not salvation by works but salvation that works. Genuine faith produces fruit: obedience, repentance, and holiness. True disciples do not merely claim Jesus with their lips; they follow Him with their lives.

4. “I Never Knew You” – The Tragedy of Self-Deception

Perhaps the most chilling words in all of Scripture are, “I never knew you.” These individuals were confident in their standing before Christ, but they were deceived. Their confidence was misplaced because their faith was superficial. To “know” in Scripture implies relationship and intimacy. Jesus did not reject them because they once belonged to Him and fell away; He says He never knew them. They had never entered into genuine relationship with Him.

5. Application for Us Today

This passage is not meant to drive believers into despair but into honest self-examination. It calls us to:

• Examine our faith: Is our trust in Christ alone, or in our religious activity?

• Pursue obedience: Do we delight in doing the Father’s will, or do we use religion as a cover for rebellion?

• Seek relationship, not performance: Are we walking daily with Christ, or simply using His name for our own ends?

Paul echoes this call in 2 Corinthians 13:5: “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you yourselves not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you fail the test?”

Conclusion

Matthew 7:21–23 reminds us that Christianity is not about outward appearances but inward transformation. It is not about what we do for Christ but whether we are known by Christ. On the last day, our religious works will not matter unless they flow from a genuine relationship with the Savior.

The good news is this: Jesus offers that relationship freely to all who will turn from sin and trust Him. He is not looking for perfect people but for surrendered hearts. Let us make sure that when we stand before Him, we hear not, “I never knew you,” but instead, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:21).