Why will Jesus tell many Christians, "I never knew you; depart from Me"? - Matt 7:21-23 - Bob Wilkin
TLDRIn this video, Bob Wilkin from Grace Evangelical Society explores a challenging passage from Matthew 7:21-23, where Jesus warns that not all who claim to follow Him will enter the kingdom of heaven. Wilkin emphasizes that mere proclamation or supernatural acts done in Jesus' name do not guarantee salvation. Instead, true entry into God's kingdom requires doing the Father's will, which according to the New Testament, fundamentally means believing in Jesus Christ for everlasting life. Wilkin clarifies that it's not about the accumulation of good works but about faith in Christ's promise, debunking the belief that deeds alone can secure one's eternal destiny.
Takeaways
- 🔑 Jesus warns that not everyone who outwardly acknowledges Him will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of His Father.
- 🙏 The key criterion for entering the kingdom of heaven is doing the Father’s will, which is to believe in Jesus Christ for eternal life, according to New Testament teachings.
- 🚫 Many who claim to perform miraculous acts 'in Jesus' name' will be rejected because they do not truly know Jesus through faith.
- 🔍 The phrase 'I never knew you; depart from Me' is directed at those within Christianity who fail to live by faith and instead rely on their works.
- ✨ Believing in Jesus Christ aligns with the Father's will and grants eternal life, contrasting with reliance on personal achievements.
- 📖 The significance of belief in Jesus is emphasized as the only condition for salvation, echoing the core message of John 3:16.
- 🔥 The context of the passage is set during the great white throne judgment post-millennium, as described in Revelation 20.
- ⚖️ Jesus’ statement 'depart from me, you who practice lawlessness' highlights that rejection at the judgment is due to unbelief, not merely sinful acts.
- 🧐 The rejected individuals are depicted as those who assert their own righteousness based on deeds rather than faith in Christ’s atonement.
- 👍 The ultimate assurance of salvation lies in the faithfulness of Christ, not in human works or lawfulness.
Q & A
What is the main point Jesus makes in Matthew 7:21-23 according to Bob Wilkin?
-The main point Jesus makes, as explained by Bob Wilkin, is that not everyone who professes to know Him or performs deeds in His name will enter the kingdom of heaven. Instead, entry to the kingdom depends on doing the will of the Father, which fundamentally involves believing in Jesus Christ.
Why does Jesus say 'I never knew you; depart from Me' to some professing Christians?
-Jesus says this to those who might have acted in His name but did not fulfill the will of the Father. According to Bob Wilkin, these individuals relied on their deeds rather than true faith in Jesus Christ, which is the core requirement for salvation.
What does Bob Wilkin identify as the 'will of the Father' concerning entry into the kingdom?
-Bob Wilkin identifies the 'will of the Father' as believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. This belief in Jesus, as the one sent by the Father, is essential for receiving everlasting life and entry into the kingdom of heaven.
What misconception do some people have regarding their good deeds according to Matthew 7:21-23?
-Some people mistakenly believe that their good deeds, like prophesying, casting out demons, or performing wonders, will qualify them for entry into the kingdom of heaven. However, as the passage highlights, these deeds are insufficient without genuine faith in Jesus.
What judgment does Bob Wilkin refer to when discussing the fate of those who are told 'I never knew you'?
-Bob Wilkin refers to the Great White Throne Judgment, as described in Revelation 20:15, where those not found written in the Book of Life are cast into the Lake of Fire.
How does Bob Wilkin explain the significance of the term 'practice lawlessness' in this context?
-Bob Wilkin explains that 'practice lawlessness' means living in a state of lawlessness or sin. He emphasizes that the condemnation isn't primarily because of their sinful acts but because they failed to believe in Jesus and thus remained in their sins.
What does John 6:39-40 add to the understanding of the Father's will?
-John 6:39-40 supports the concept that the Father's will involves Jesus losing none of those He has been given and ensuring that everyone who believes in Him has everlasting life. It underscores the importance of faith over works.
How does the phrase 'I never knew you' relate to the individuals' belief in Jesus?
-The phrase 'I never knew you' indicates a lack of a personal relationship with Jesus, which stems from a lack of genuine faith. Despite their deeds done in Jesus' name, their failure to truly believe and trust in Him means they are not known by Him.
Why do some people think their good works will save them, according to the transcript?
-According to the transcript, some people mistakenly think that their good works will save them because they focus on their actions rather than on faith. They fail to recognize that salvation is a gift received through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works.
What is the 'truly good news' that Bob Wilkin mentions in his message?
-The 'truly good news' mentioned by Bob Wilkin is that everlasting life and salvation are secured through faith in Jesus Christ alone, as promised by Him. This faith ensures that believers will not perish but have eternal life.
Outlines
📘 Understanding True Christian Faith
In this segment, Bob from Gracie Evangelical Society discusses the crucial distinction between mere profession of faith and genuine adherence to Christian teachings as outlined in Matthew 7:21-23. He emphasizes that not all who invoke Jesus' name will enter the kingdom of heaven; only those who do the Father's will. Bob clarifies that the will of the Father is to believe in Jesus Christ, which is underscored in several New Testament passages, including John 6:39-40 and John 5:24. This belief is foundational to attaining everlasting life and escaping eternal condemnation. Additionally, he touches on the Great White Throne Judgment described in Revelation 20, where those not found in the Book of Life face eternal damnation, underscoring the necessity of true faith over mere religious acts or declarations.
🌟 Salvation Through Faith Alone
In this conclusion, Bob emphasizes the insufficiency of good works for salvation, referring to Isaiah 64:6 which compares them to 'filthy rags' at the great white Throne judgment. He argues that instead of boasting about deeds, believers should affirm their faith in Christ's promise of everlasting life, which ensures they will never perish. This faith in Jesus' faithfulness is presented as the sole basis for eternal security, highlighting the concept of justification by faith alone. Bob encourages viewers to embrace this message, urging them to subscribe and keep their focus on grace, underscoring that true Christian faith relies entirely on Christ's merits rather than human efforts.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Kingdom of Heaven
💡Will of My Father
💡Book of Life
💡Great White Throne Judgment
💡Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ
💡Everlasting Life
💡Lawlessness
💡Faith Alone
💡Justification by Faith
💡Grace
Highlights
Jesus warns that not everyone who addresses Him as 'Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven, only those who do the will of His Father.
Many will claim to have prophesied, cast out demons, and performed wonders in Jesus' name, yet He will tell them 'I never knew you; depart from Me'.
This stern rejection at the great white Throne judgment is because their names are not found written in the Book of Life.
The essential will of the Father for entering the kingdom is to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, emphasizing faith over works.
Jesus' declaration 'I never knew you' highlights a relational distance, not just a failure to meet legalistic standards.
The criteria for entering the kingdom is not based on miraculous works but on a genuine faith in Jesus Christ.
Those who focus on their works as the basis for salvation are mistaken and will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
True belief in Jesus is a belief in the message of justification by faith alone, apart from works.
The phrase 'depart from me, you who practice lawlessness' points to a continuous state of sinfulness without true faith.
Believing in Jesus means transitioning from death into life, and it is the only condition for not perishing but having everlasting life.
At the great white Throne judgment, the condemned are those who rely on their deeds rather than their faith in Christ's promise of salvation.
Eternal destiny hinges on Christ's faithfulness and the promise that believers in Him will have everlasting life and never perish.
Believers are called not to stumble over their sins but to rest in the assurance of salvation through faith in Christ.
The message of everlasting life by faith is described as 'truly good news' for all who accept it.
Bob Wilkin encourages viewers to embrace the message of grace, highlighting the importance of faith over works in Christian doctrine.