I Never Knew You!

And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness."

Matthew 7:23

The Greek term translated as "knew" is ἔγνων (egnōn), derived from the verb γινώσκω (ginōskō). This word signifies more than just intellectual understanding; it often refers to a personal, close, and relational kind of knowledge. This same sense of knowing describes God's covenant relationship with His people, as seen in John 10:14 and Galatians 4:9.

Jesus is not saying, "I never heard of you." As the omniscient Son of God, He knows everything about every person. Rather, He is saying, "I never had a saving relationship with you." There was never a genuine union between Christ and them.

What makes this passage so sobering is that Jesus isn't speaking to atheists, agnostics, or followers of false religions. Instead, the context shows that these individuals claimed faith in Christ. They called Him "Lord, Lord" (Matthew 7:21-22), preached in His name, cast out demons, and performed great works through Him. On the surface, they seemed genuinely religious and effective in their ministry.

Yet Jesus reveals that profession is not the same as possession. Religious activity is not the same as regeneration. Ministry accomplishments are not proof of salvation. Their lives were marked by what Jesus calls "lawlessness"—a continual pattern of rebellion against God's will. Their works may have impressed people, but their hearts remained unchanged.

This passage warns all church members, ministry leaders, pastors, and Christians. The key question is not just, "Do I know about Jesus?" but, "Does Jesus know me?" Genuine salvation is demonstrated through a living relationship with Christ that leads to obedience. It’s not about perfection but a transformed life characterized by repentance and faith.

As the Puritan preacher Matthew Henry observed, "Many will claim acquaintance with Christ at the last day, who were strangers to Him all their days."

The tragedy of Matthew 7:23 is not that these people lost their salvation. The tragedy is that they never possessed it. They spent their lives believing they belonged to Christ, only to discover they had religion without relationship, activity without authenticity, and profession without possession.

May we examine ourselves in light of God's Word and rest not in what we do for Christ, but in what Christ has done for us. For those who truly belong to Him, Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies.” (John 11:25)

Your shepherd, 

Pastor Mark