In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus presents a sobering reality for all believers: not everyone who calls Him “Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven. This raises an important question for us today—what does it mean to truly know God, and how can we avoid hearing the chilling words, "I never knew you" (Matthew 7:21-23)?
The Importance of Genuine Relationship
To know someone isn't just a passing acquaintance or a quick introduction. It's a deep and ongoing relationship, fostered by time, communication, and shared experiences. In the same way, many believers may know of God but fail to develop a real relationship with Him. Jesus calls for more than a superficial acknowledgment; He desires a profound connection rooted in love, obedience, and intimacy.
As believers, we must ask ourselves: Have I been seeking, asking, and knocking in my relationship with God? Or am I merely satisfied with a surface-level faith?
In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus speaks about entering through the narrow gate, warning us that the broad path leads to destruction. The narrow gate represents a path of intentionality, sacrifice, and faithfulness. Are we walking this narrow path today, or are we caught in the distractions of the wide gate?
Bearing Good Fruit
Jesus emphasizes that we can identify true believers and false prophets by the fruit they bear. In Matthew 7:16-17, He says:
“By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.”
Good fruit is the outward expression of a genuine relationship with God—it manifests in our words, actions, and the way we love others. However, bearing fruit is more than just doing good deeds. It’s about producing fruit that reflects the character of Christ: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
What kind of fruit are we bearing? Are we producing fruit that nourishes others, or are we offering bitter, empty works?
Beware of False Prophets
Jesus issues a stark warning about the rise of false prophets and false teachers. In Matthew 7:21-23, He reveals that not all who perform wonders in His name are truly His followers:
"Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one 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 in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
This passage is a wake-up call for all believers. Doing religious works isn’t enough—our relationship with Christ must be authentic, rooted in doing the will of the Father. As followers of Christ, we must be vigilant, discerning the fruits of those who claim to speak for God. Are their works aligned with Scripture? Are their lives reflecting the love and character of Christ?
Loving God and Loving Our Neighbor
In Mark 12:28-31, Jesus simplifies the entire law into two commandments:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”
The will of the Father is clear: we are called to love God fully and love others as we love ourselves. True relationship with God manifests in how we treat those around us. This love is not passive; it requires action—serving, giving, and meeting the needs of others just as we would for ourselves. How are we demonstrating God’s love to our neighbors?
Examine Your Heart
As we reflect on these powerful teachings, it is essential to do some self-examination. Are we truly living out the will of the Father? Do we have a relationship with Jesus that goes beyond religious duties and appearances? Are we producing the good fruit of righteousness, or have we fallen into the trap of seeking validation from others rather than God?
The time to assess our spiritual walk is now, not later. Jesus’ warning about false prophets and lukewarm believers is a call to align our lives with His truth, walking the narrow path that leads to life.
Let us be vigilant, let us be discerning, and let us pursue a relationship with Christ that is authentic, rooted in love, and marked by good fruit.
Scripture References:
- Matthew 7:21-23: Jesus' warning that not all who call Him Lord will enter the kingdom.
- Matthew 7:16-17: Recognizing believers and false prophets by their fruits.
- Mark 12:28-31: The greatest commandments—love God and love your neighbor.
- Galatians 5:22-23: The fruit of the Spirit as evidence of a life connected to Christ.
As we move forward in our faith journey, let us strive to know God deeply, to bear good fruit, and to live out His will daily. May we never hear the words, "I never knew you," but instead, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
This article serves as a reminder to every believer: a relationship with God is more than appearances or religious duties—it is a life devoted to loving God and others, marked by spiritual fruit and grounded in truth. Let's commit ourselves to this walk, staying vigilant and always aligning with God's will.