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 explains a puzzling biblical passage where Jesus tells many professed Christians, 'I never knew you; depart from Me'. Wilkin clarifies that despite performing deeds like prophesying and casting out demons in Jesus' name, these individuals fail to do the will of the Father, which is fundamentally about believing in Jesus for eternal life. This crucial distinction highlights that mere works, without genuine faith, are insufficient for salvation. Wilkin emphasizes the importance of faith over deeds in securing a place in the Kingdom of Heaven, aligning with the teachings found throughout the New Testament.
Takeaways
- 📖 Matthew 7:21-23 emphasizes that not all who call Jesus 'Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of the Father.
- 👤 Jesus will tell many professing Christians 'I never knew you; depart from Me' because they have not truly believed in Him as required by the Father.
- 🙏 The key criterion for entry into the kingdom of heaven is belief in Jesus Christ, as endorsed by the Father, and not merely performing works in Jesus' name.
- 🔍 Repeated references to 'in your name' highlight that the individuals claiming miraculous powers in Jesus' name still lack a genuine, saving faith.
- 📜 Belief in Jesus is equated with obeying the Father's will, as stated in John 6:39-40 and John 5:24, where believing leads to everlasting life and avoidance of judgment.
- 🛑 The phrase 'depart from me, you who practice lawlessness' indicates that lack of belief is akin to spiritual lawlessness, irrespective of one's actions.
- 💬 The passage underscores a distinction between genuine faith and mere profession of faith, warning against relying on deeds alone for salvation.
- 🎯 The ultimate message of Matthew 7:21-23 and related teachings is the necessity of faith in Jesus for true salvation, contrasting with a reliance on self-righteous deeds.
- 📚 John 3:16 is cited to reinforce that eternal life is granted to those who simply believe in Jesus, underscoring the simplicity and accessibility of the gospel.
- ✝️ The discussion concludes with an invitation to embrace the 'good news' of Jesus' promise that faith in Him ensures eternal life, not perishing.
Q & A
What is the main message of Matthew 7:21-23 according to Bob Wilkin?
-The main message of Matthew 7:21-23, as explained by Bob Wilkin, is that not everyone who professes to know Jesus will enter the kingdom of heaven. Entry is based on doing the will of the Father, which is fundamentally about believing in Jesus Christ for salvation, rather than relying on one's works or deeds.
Why does Jesus say 'I never knew you; depart from me' to some people who claim to perform deeds in His name?
-Jesus says 'I never knew you; depart from me' to those who claim to have performed deeds in His name because, despite their claims, they have not done the will of the Father. According to Bob Wilkin, the will of the Father is to believe in Jesus Christ for eternal life, and those addressed failed to do this, relying instead on their works.
What does it mean to do the 'will of the Father' as mentioned in the video?
-Doing the 'will of the Father' means believing in Jesus Christ for salvation and eternal life. This belief is the central criterion for entry into the kingdom of heaven, as opposed to relying on one's deeds or achievements.
How does Bob Wilkin relate Matthew 7:21-23 to other scriptures?
-Bob Wilkin connects Matthew 7:21-23 with several other scriptures to emphasize belief over works. He references John 6:39-40, John 5:24, and John 3:16 to underline that it is the Father's will that belief in Jesus grants eternal life, not the performance of miraculous deeds or works.
What misconception do some Christians have about their salvation according to the video?
-According to the video, some Christians have the misconception that their salvation is based on their deeds or miraculous works performed in Jesus' name. Bob Wilkin clarifies that true salvation is based solely on faith in Jesus Christ, not on any works or deeds.
What is meant by 'practice lawlessness' in the context of Matthew 7:23?
-In the context of Matthew 7:23, 'practice lawlessness' refers to living a life that is inherently sinful and not aligned with the will of God. Bob Wilkin explains that this phrase underscores the sinful nature of those who have not believed in Jesus, hence their exclusion from the kingdom despite their deeds.
What is the significance of the 'Great White Throne Judgment' mentioned in the video?
-The 'Great White Throne Judgment' mentioned in the video refers to a future event described in Revelation 20:15, where individuals are judged by Christ. Bob Wilkin uses this event to illustrate the final judgment where people's eternal destinies are confirmed, highlighting the importance of being found written in the Book of Life through faith in Christ.
Why do some people claim they deserve to enter the kingdom based on their works, as discussed in the video?
-Some people claim they deserve to enter the kingdom based on their works because they misunderstand the basis of Christian salvation. As discussed in the video, these individuals mistakenly believe that their prophesying, exorcisms, and miracles in Jesus' name entitle them to heaven, rather than understanding that only faith in Jesus secures eternal life.
How does Bob Wilkin suggest believers should view their eternal destiny?
-Bob Wilkin suggests that believers should view their eternal destiny as secured through faith in Jesus Christ, not through their deeds or works. He emphasizes reliance on the faithfulness of Christ and His promise of eternal life to those who believe.
What does the video say about the role of faith alone in salvation?
-The video strongly advocates for justification by faith alone, stating that the only condition for salvation and eternal life is belief in Jesus Christ. This perspective is highlighted through various scripture references that affirm faith as the sole criterion for entering the kingdom of heaven.
Outlines
📖 Misinterpretation of Faithful Actions in Christianity
Bob from Gracie Evangelical society discusses a critical passage from Matthew 7:21-23, where Jesus warns that not all who perform deeds in His name will enter the kingdom of heaven. The individuals Jesus refers to are professed Christians, not followers of other faiths. They mistakenly believe that their acts of prophecy, exorcism, and miracles guarantee their salvation. However, Jesus declares that He never knew them and refers to their acts as 'lawlessness' because they failed to do the will of God, which is to believe in Jesus Christ for salvation. The scenario is set during the great white throne judgment after the millennium, as described in Revelation 20:15, where those not found in the Book of Life are condemned to the Lake of Fire. The key takeaway is that salvation comes from faith in Christ alone, not from works.
🔑 The True Basis of Salvation: Faith over Works
This paragraph explores the grave error many make at the great white throne judgment, expecting to earn their place in the Kingdom based on their deeds. Bob emphasizes that the Biblical stance is clear: all works, however noble, are as 'filthy rags' (Isaiah 64:6) without the foundation of faith in Christ. He clarifies that one’s eternal destiny is secured not by personal achievements or righteousness but by faith in the reliability of Christ's promise for everlasting life to those who believe. The passage concludes with a call to recognize and trust in the faithfulness of Christ rather than one’s own merits, highlighting the message of salvation through faith alone. Bob encourages viewers to subscribe and keep faith in focus.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡I never knew you; depart from Me
💡Gracie Evangelical Society
💡will of my Father in heaven
💡Great White Throne judgment
💡Book of Life
💡believe in the Lord Jesus Christ
💡lawlessness
💡justification by faith alone
💡everlasting life
💡faithfulness of Christ
Highlights
Jesus emphasizes that not everyone who acknowledges Him will enter the kingdom of heaven.
Only those who do the will of the Father in heaven will enter.
Many will claim to have prophesied, cast out demons, and performed wonders in Jesus' name.
Jesus will tell many, 'I never knew you; depart from me.'
The context for Jesus' statement is the great white Throne judgment after the millennium.
Entry into the kingdom is linked to being found written in the Book of Life.
The essential will of the Father is that we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life.
Justification and everlasting life are granted through faith alone, apart from works.
Non-believers will be condemned not because they are lawless, but because they haven't done the Father's will.
Jesus emphasizes the importance of belief over deeds for salvation.
The false claimants at judgment will argue for their entry based on their deeds rather than faith.
True faith in Christ ensures that believers will never perish.
Jesus highlights the futility of relying on deeds alone for salvation, citing their 'filthy rags' nature.
The video ends with an invitation to subscribe and keep the message of grace in focus.
Bob Wilkin encourages viewers to recognize the faithfulness of Christ and the certainty of His promises.
