Have you ever noticed how the final words of a sermon or presentation can linger in your mind long after everything else fades? A powerful ending doesn’t just wrap things up; it leaves a mark. When Jesus finished His Sermon on the Mount, He didn’t just summarize His teachings; He delivered a message that still challenges us today.
(Matthew 7:23)1NIV New International Version Translations – “Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'”
This verse in Matthew is a powerful and sobering conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount. Wow! Jesus concludes His summation with a warning against self-deception and false discipleship! His message follows a passage where people claim to have done great work (prophesying, casting out demons, performing miracles) in his name (Matthew 7:22).
Jesus is describing the nature of true discipleship. He is defining true faith not by spectacular public works or even a public verbal profession (Lord, Lord), but instead, by a genuine, personal relationship with Him! Jesus adds obedience to God’s will (Matthew 7:21) to the definition of true faith. The phrase “I never knew you” does not imply that Jesus was unaware of our existence. In a biblical context, “to know” implies an intimate, covenantal.2A covenant is a formal, binding agreement or contract between two or more parties. In religious contexts, particularly in the Bible, a covenant often refers to a special, committed relationship between God and humanity, involving mutual promises and responsibilities on both sides. When something is described as “covenantal,” it refers to a solemn agreement or relationship, particularly one that is deeply meaningful, binding, and often spiritual or relational., and relational connection, like a shepherd knows his sheep or a husband knows his wife. Jesus is saying that, despite their religious activity, they never had a genuine, “saving” relationship with Him.
Jesus is sharing a risk for every believer to consider. If you believe you are a Christian but have no relationship with Jesus, you are in severe danger. It is easy to substitute public religious practices, even impressive acts of service, for an inward, transformed heart and a life of genuine submission to Jesus’ authority. Plain and simple, Jesus is issuing an ultimatum —an unambiguous warning about the final judgment. Jesus, as the One and only Judge, will make the final determination, and the criterion is not performance, but a genuine relationship and a life characterized by obedience to God’s law (which those who violate are called “evildoers” or “workers of lawlessness”).
True faith is about a sincere, heart-to-heart relationship with Jesus, not a list of good deeds or religious accomplishments. You must seek to be known by Him as His own. A saving relationship with Christ naturally results in a life that aims to “do the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). The actions of believers, their “fruit,” must align with Jesus’s teachings. This contrasts with the world’s teaching, which is “lawlessness.” We demonstrate a life of obedience by loving God and loving our fellow human beings. We obey ALL God’s commands and, as hard as it may seem, to love ALL people. This is what Jesus taught, and this is how we will be measured. The good news is that Christ reconciled our propensity for sin and lack of perfection when He died on the Cross. We don’t have to be perfect. However, we must trend away from sin and toward God’s righteousness. The danger we are all in is that the world is busy telling us what is right. None of what the world tells us counts. God is the only one the universe has authorized to establish what is lawlessness.
We can be deeply involved in our faith, feel sincere, and even appear to be effective Christians to others, yet still somehow not know God or understand His will for us. The people listening to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount were shocked when Jesus rejected them, indicating that they were entirely self-deceived. They had been relying on the opinions of others and their own feelings about their faith. What they needed to do was rely on the Word of God and follow the Scriptures that directed them on the right way to live.
As we reflect on Jesus’ words, we are reminded that calling Him “Lord” is far more than a statement—it’s a call to wholehearted surrender. True discipleship is not measured by what we say, but by how we live. Jesus invites us to let Him lead every part of our lives—our choices, our relationships, how we use our resources and time, and especially our desires. A genuine confession of “Lord, Lord” is proven not by empty words, but by a life that mirrors His own. It is a life marked by obedience, love, and trust. May we each leave this study with a renewed commitment to let Christ’s authority shape every area of our lives, so that our faith is not just spoken, but truly lived.
Contemplations
- How does one’s daily life reflect a genuine relationship with Jesus, rather than just outward religious actions?
- Ideas to explore: Consider moments when your faith has influenced your choices, even when no one else was watching. Are there areas where you rely more on appearances than on an authentic connection with Christ?
- In what ways are you surrendering your will to God’s authority, especially when it challenges your personal desires or comfort?
- Ideas to explore: Reflect on a recent decision where you felt torn between what you wanted and what you sensed God was asking of you. What did you choose, and what does that reveal about your willingness to let Jesus lead?
- Do your relationships and interactions with others demonstrate the kind of love and obedience Jesus taught?
- Ideas to explore: Think about how you treat people who are difficult to love or who disagree with you. Can you still demonstrate kindness, patience, and forgiveness, reflecting Jesus’ example?
- Are you measuring your spiritual growth by God’s standards or by the world’s expectations?
- Ideas to explore: What are the influences that shape your understanding of success and righteousness? Are you more concerned with how others perceive your faith, or with aligning your life to God’s will as revealed in Scripture?
- 1NIV New International Version Translations
- 2A covenant is a formal, binding agreement or contract between two or more parties. In religious contexts, particularly in the Bible, a covenant often refers to a special, committed relationship between God and humanity, involving mutual promises and responsibilities on both sides. When something is described as “covenantal,” it refers to a solemn agreement or relationship, particularly one that is deeply meaningful, binding, and often spiritual or relational.