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One of the most debatable verses in the word of God: I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Matthew 7:22-24 KJV
[22] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? [23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. [24] Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
"I never knew you"
"Knew" As in an intimate way. Genesis 4:1 "And Adam knew Eve..." in an intimate way. I never knew you meaning: My Spirit is not there. My Spirit does not inhabit you. My Spirit has not entered into you. You have not been born of God.
We read immediately after the Lords debated words..."Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:"
A spiritual rock: that rock being Christ.
Those spoken of in Matthew 7: 22-24 Use their works as justification. "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works"
Yet in Matthew there is another peculiar people spoken of: Matthew 25:34-40 KJV
[34] Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: [35] For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: [36] Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. [37] Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee ? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? [38] When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee ? [39] Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? [40] And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Those "in Christ" have works they know not of. Why? Because Christ worked through them. The Spirit of God worked their works; they rested "in Christ". If I can explain it this way: in a relationship of love we care for the needs of those that we love... naturally.
There is no work involved.
We just do. There is no labor, no boasting needed. That is what relationship is...being accountable to someone because you choose to be and naturally want to see to their needs. You love them. You want to see them happy and well and cared for. It is not a burden.
Then there is the others that boast in their works: obligation.
Haughtiness and pride... because you are obligated to see to the needs of another. It is work. A burden. It is work for the person doing the work to be able to say they have fulfilled an obligation, rather than an act of genuine love. It is heavy labor which makes a person defend themselves and their actions by stating "Have I not slaved for you?" Give me what I earned.
Again, consider the implication: "Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee ? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? [38] When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee ? [39] Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?"
Matthew 7:22-24 KJV
[22] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? [23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. [24] Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
"I never knew you"
"Knew" As in an intimate way. Genesis 4:1 "And Adam knew Eve..." in an intimate way. I never knew you meaning: My Spirit is not there. My Spirit does not inhabit you. My Spirit has not entered into you. You have not been born of God.
We read immediately after the Lords debated words..."Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:"
A spiritual rock: that rock being Christ.
Those spoken of in Matthew 7: 22-24 Use their works as justification. "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works"
Yet in Matthew there is another peculiar people spoken of: Matthew 25:34-40 KJV
[34] Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: [35] For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: [36] Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. [37] Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee ? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? [38] When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee ? [39] Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? [40] And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Those "in Christ" have works they know not of. Why? Because Christ worked through them. The Spirit of God worked their works; they rested "in Christ". If I can explain it this way: in a relationship of love we care for the needs of those that we love... naturally.
There is no work involved.
We just do. There is no labor, no boasting needed. That is what relationship is...being accountable to someone because you choose to be and naturally want to see to their needs. You love them. You want to see them happy and well and cared for. It is not a burden.
Then there is the others that boast in their works: obligation.
Haughtiness and pride... because you are obligated to see to the needs of another. It is work. A burden. It is work for the person doing the work to be able to say they have fulfilled an obligation, rather than an act of genuine love. It is heavy labor which makes a person defend themselves and their actions by stating "Have I not slaved for you?" Give me what I earned.
Again, consider the implication: "Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee ? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? [38] When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee ? [39] Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?"
