When Jesus Says, "I Never Knew You"

[Jules]

Here's the link and a snippet from an article I ran across. Someone once defined this as being a "works-based, do-it-yourself salvation" mindset. I know a few people like this...I pray I'm not guilty of it.

http://www.christianpost.com/news/when-jesus-says-i-never-knew-you-134508/

The words of Jesus in Matthew 7:21-23 are often quoted, but commonly misapplied. In this familiar passage our Lord declared, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he 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 perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"

Unfortunately, this passage is often presented to genuine believers in an attempt to get them to "do more." Such badgering is not helpful, and can actually rob those weak in faith of the assurance of salvation. I suspect you have heard this passage used in such a way. But have you stopped to really think about not only what Jesus said, but what the hearers said to Christ? Or better yet, what they didn't say.

What they didn't say reveals why they will be sent away from the Lord forever. They didn't say, "But Lord, you died for our sins on the cross." And they didn't say, "Lord, we have been trusting in your sacrifice for salvation. Our only hope is in what you did to pay for our sins." They didn't say those things. Instead, they pointed to their works. They pointed to the very things which they were relying upon to earn a spot in heaven.

The reason they will be sent away forever is not because they didn't do enough works. It's because they don't know the Lord. Jesus knows His sheep and His sheep know Him. (see John 10:14) The only way to meet Jesus is through faith. And it is only through faith that man remains connected to God's saving grace. It is not something we earn on the front end, in the middle, or on Judgment Day. It is grace through and through.

[Lou Newton]

Thanks Julie,

I hope everyone clicks on the link to read the rest of the article:

http://www.christianpost.com/news/wh...ew-you-134508/

One of the few that tell the truth about our walk with Jesus.

Lou Newton

[Baruch]

Amen. That is a superb article. Thanks for posting it, Julie.

[Blane]

Here's the link and a snippet from an article I ran across. Someone once defined this as being a "works-based, do-it-yourself salvation" mindset. I know a few people like this...I pray I'm not guilty of it.

http://www.christianpost.com/news/wh...ew-you-134508/

Excellent article, Jules. Thanks for posting it.

This reminds me of a really good Paul Washer sermon on this passage. In that sermon he explains that the term, "Lord, Lord" meant that the people speaking were not just casually professing that Jesus is Lord. Rather they were people who had deeply committed their lives to following Christ, but had never grasped the true Gospel of grace. In other words, of the tiny group of believers who appear to be truly sold out to following Christ, few of THAT group really belong to Christ. It's a very sobering message. I'll try to find it tonight and post a link on this thread for any who want to hear it.

Blane

[Lou Newton]

Excellent article, Jules. Thanks for posting it.

This reminds me of a really good Paul Washer sermon on this passage. In that sermon he explains that the term, "Lord, Lord" meant that the people speaking were not just casually professing that Jesus is Lord. Rather they were people who had deeply committed their lives to following Christ, but had never grasped the true Gospel of grace. In other words, of the tiny group of believers who appear to be truly sold out to following Christ, few of THAT group really belong to Christ. It's a very sobering message. I'll try to find it tonight and post a link on this thread for any who want to hear it.

Blane

Hi Blane,

I have attended many churches and forums over almost 40 years. I was surprised every place to find many of those who seemed to be very committed Christians, revealed over time that they were not trusting in the blood of Jesus ALONE, but trusting in their works to save them.

I have also seen many committed professing Christians confess that they were sinners, but now did not sin much. I was at a house group meeting and heard the pastor confess that he did not think he had sinned yet that day. It was 10PM, but that is immaterial. For no mere man has ever done anything, or thought anything without sinning.

Some even read this scripture and justify that they no longer sin after they became Christians:

⁸ If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

If we claim to be without sin - John is talking to Christians here. This is NOT past tense, but it is present tense. Anytime we claim to be without sin:
we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us

But instead: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Anything God repeats the second time in the same passage is there because so many error in this way. But God repeats this again:

If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us

This does not say: if we claim we have never sinned ( or past tense)

But it says: If we claim we have not sinned ( present tense )

Any second of any day I claim to without sin, I am calling God a liar and His word is not in me.

We are all born into sin. Our flesh is sinful, or selfish. We fear death and try to hang onto our life.

We have to give up our life to Jesus, and He then enters our spirit and we are born again in the spirit.

How do we know if we are born again ?

Well Jesus makes this promise to us:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Notice that it does not say: if we confessed our sins - which would be past tense.

But it says - If we confess our sins - which is present tense.

So as long as we confess our sins, in every present moment, Jesus promises:

he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

As long as we are confessing we are sinners, and keep on confessing we are sinners, Jesus forgives us and cleanses us from all sin.

There is only one condition to being saved. That is to trust Jesus, and nothing else to save you.

If one trusts also in their works, then Jesus can not save them.

The 7th day Adventist preach that one has to confess every single sin in their entire life or they will not be saved. Of course they are a cult. They also preach that one has to be a member of their church to be saved, and one has to worship on Saturday to be saved.

( I told one man who was a 7th DA, that I am good because I worship on every day of the week ) Certainly no one is forbidden to worship on Sunday or any other day. Even 7thDA go to church on Wednesday too.

But how can any person even be aware of every single sin they commit. I would say they must think their sins are of small number to believe as they do.

But they are correct, we do have to confess every sin we commit. But how can one do that.

There is one and only one way to do that.

That is to be aware that God tells us that our most righteous deed is filthy rags ( or toilet paper)

If our most righteous deed if filthy, what are our worse deeds.

When we confess that ALL of our deeds are sinful, that is every single deed and thought we have had, and have, and will have, is sinful, then we have confessed every single sin we have ever committed.

When a person confesses this to the Lord Jesus, they can know they are saved.

Grace to you

Lou Newton

[Baruch]

When we confess that ALL of our deeds are sinful, that is every single deed and thought we have had, and have, and will have, is sinful, then we have confessed every single sin we have ever committed.

The flesh seeks its own glory, its own righteousness. This is a hard thing for the flesh to hear. The Lord only is righteous and worthy of glory. I think King David expresses it very well.

Psa 19 (KJV)
1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Amen.

[Lou Newton]

The flesh seeks its own glory, its own righteousness. This is a hard thing for the flesh to hear. The Lord only is righteous and worthy of glory. I think King David expresses it very well.

Psa 19 (KJV)
1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Amen.

Thanks Barry one of my favorite scriptures...............Lou

[Blane]

Found it

This reminds me of a really good Paul Washer sermon on this passage. In that sermon he explains that the term, "Lord, Lord" meant that the people speaking were not just casually professing that Jesus is Lord. Rather they were people who had deeply committed their lives to following Christ, but had never grasped the true Gospel of grace. In other words, of the tiny group of believers who appear to be truly sold out to following Christ, few of THAT group really belong to Christ. It's a very sobering message. I'll try to find it tonight and post a link on this thread for any who want to hear it.

Blane

Here's a link to that Paul Washer sermon. It's a very hard message, but it's exceptional and well worth the 70 minutes. The part I was referring to occurs from the 56:30 through the 1:04:45 mark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_hGBFVzYZ4&index=46&list=PLC57DBAE2BFAD0331

[Travis]

Here's a link to that Paul Washer sermon. It's a very hard message, but it's exceptional and well worth the 70 minutes. The part I was referring to occurs from the 56:30 through the 1:04:45 mark.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_hG...7DBAE2BFAD0331

That one is available for easy download Here, at sermonaudio.com.

There are like 400 sermons he has given, there on that site. I'll probably give them all a listen some day.

This message and many others by Paul are quite edifying.

Blessings,

Travis

[Lou Newton]

Here's a link to that Paul Washer sermon. It's a very hard message, but it's exceptional and well worth the 70 minutes. The part I was referring to occurs from the 56:30 through the 1:04:45 mark.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_hG...7DBAE2BFAD0331

Thanks Blane, saw this before, but watched it again...............................Lou

[Blane]

That one is available for easy download Here, at sermonaudio.com.

There are like 400 sermons he has given, there on that site. I'll probably give them all a listen some day.

This message and many others by Paul are quite edifying.

Blessings,

Travis

Travis,

Thanks for sharing that link. I noticed that the message I linked was part 7 of an 8 sermon series. Your link makes it easier to gather all messages in a given series. What a wealth of info. Thanks brother.

Blane

[Jules]

Thank you both for the links, Blane and Travis. Bookmarked. :thumbsup:

[TennesseeLinda]

Here's a link to that Paul Washer sermon. It's a very hard message, but it's exceptional and well worth the 70 minutes. The part I was referring to occurs from the 56:30 through the 1:04:45 mark.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_hG...7DBAE2BFAD0331

This points out my foundational belief. I have mentioned this before, but I remember very few sermons. When I have a life changing experience from a sermon, I do not forget it. One such sermon did just that. It so effected my soul, I can never forget it. The pastor said that Jesus was speaking much deeper here than most people realize. He said the word "knew" in this verse was the same as "Adam knew Eve". An intimate relationship. Not just "I knew who you were". It explained so much to me. It is pointing back to "you must be born again". We must be born into Christ to be true Christians. It is not enough to say I know who Hw is.

[Baruch]

This points out my foundational belief. I have mentioned this before, but I remember very few sermons. When I have a life changing experience from a sermon, I do not forget it. One such sermon did just that. It so effected my soul, I can never forget it. The pastor said that Jesus was speaking much deeper here than most people realize. He said the word "knew" in this verse was the same as "Adam knew Eve". An intimate relationship. Not just "I knew who you were". It explained so much to me. It is pointing back to "you must be born again". We must be born into Christ to be true Christians. It is not enough to say I know who Hw is.

I believe this is a powerful insight, Linda. Adam and Eve are certainly a type of Christ and the church.

Paul states in Eph 5 on how we are to be:

Eph 5:25-32
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Eph 5 is not just a statement on how husbands and wives are to be with each other. It is how the church is to be with Christ.

A wonderful picture of this is the Song of Solomon.