I Never Knew You Matthew 7:23

Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them.” Jesus continued, “Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works?”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-three of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples how He will say,“I never knew you” where we read:

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.

The verse reads, “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you:” Matthew began with the words, “and then” or “at at that time and moment” “will I profess” or “Jesus will assent, concede, promise, confess and declare” “unto them” which refers to “those who call Jesus Lord, Lord and do many wonderful works”, “I never knew you” or “Jesus neither at any time and not at all perceived, came to know, were acquainted with and were aware of these who called Him Lord, Lord”. Jesus shared how He will “declare” to these who called Him “Lord, Lord”, “I never at any time was acquainted with you”.

The verse goes on to say, “depart from me, you that work iniquity.” Matthew added the word, “depart from me” or “go away from Jesus”, “you that work” which means “those who perform, exercise, commit, labor and work out” “iniquity” or “the contempt and violation of law or wickedness”. Jesus shared with His disciples how He will tell these ones who call Him “Lord, Lord” “get away from me” as He declares they are “performers” of “wickedness”.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see one of the most daunting verses in the whole Bible. Those who believe they are in a relationship with God and are not shall be told to “get away” or “depart” from Jesus, and they shall be identified as people who “perform” “wickedness” in the world. Many people will be deceived into believing they will have entrance into “Heaven”, but Jesus declared this not to be so. Only those who have humbled themselves, submitted to God and His Son Jesus Christ, and continued in a relationship with Him shall be allowed to be in the “Kingdom of Heaven”. May all who read these words be warned and take heed before they hear these ominous words from Jesus, “depart from me, you worker of iniquity”.

Next time Jesus tells His disciples what happens to, “whoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.