Do you know Jesus personally or do you know “of him”?
Have you ever been in a relationship with or knew someone that was so mad or furious with you, they basically let you know they were done? They didn’t want to have anything to do with you anymore because of what transpired or is presently happening. You have crossed that bridge, and now there’s no going back: “I never knew you; you’re not the person I knew.”
Of course, the circumstances are direr usually than what I am generally presenting here but with a lot of detail left out. Most of us probably have been in that predicament one time or another. When that happens, it’s usually a nightmare of repercussions and unforgiving feelings.
The writers here are getting out the Gospel message that everyone should come to a saving knowledge of our Saviour Jesus Christ. There is a wonderful heaven waiting for us believers in Christ, and we want to share that with you. We are spreading His kingdom message that Jesus is the only Name to call upon and believe in to inherit eternal life; Jesus (or Yeshua in Hebrew) is the only person who can fulfill that. Notice “is” – present tense, not past tense!
We offer scriptural, theological truth as well as encouragement to all that read our articles, and sometimes the truth is real hard. With the salvation message we present, there is no wiggle room or middle ground. A person can’t be “on the fence” when eternity is right before them. A person either accepts the free gift of salvation that is offered (Romans 6:23), or they reject it.
But, as we search the scriptures in the Holy Bible on what Jesus says about eternal life and judgment, we find this: One day he is going to speak this terrible statement, “Depart from me; I never knew you” to those who have denied him and did not place their trust in him. Imagine when a child (age doesn’t matter), who is hurt in some way by a parent or relative, tells them, “Get away, I don’t know you; I don’t want to ever see you anymore.” That is so heart and soul crushing; the words are unbearable.
According to the Scriptures, Jesus will make this statement to those who are not his. I pray you will not be in that hopeless group. Jesus, of course, does know you; He created you. He desires that you seek Him out and become a child of His.
Read Psalms 139! The Scriptures gives you all the details about you and your birth. It’s wonderfully amazing.
Imagine standing before God and being in this hopeless predicament. I don’t think words can suffice here. Jesus gives us the details in the Bible on how that will take place. In Matthew, Jesus is teaching his disciples and the people on Kingdom principals and living spiritually in their everyday life. This is what is written in the book of Matthew:
“Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my father which is in heaven. Many shall say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:21-23).
Jesus is primarily teaching his apostles about the false prophets and disciples that will come into their midst. {An oral confession of Jesus as Lord does not always indicate a repentant heart.} Where do you stand? Have you confessed Jesus with a repentant heart or is that name just a word to you? Like I asked at the beginning of this article, do you know Him or just know of Him? The one you choose determines your rightful place in where you go – being in Glory with Christ and all the other believers or eternally separated forever from the presence of God.
Some other Scriptural references come to mind that tie in with this. John 3:3 says, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” One of the key religious leaders in Jerusalem, Nicodemus, didn’t understand the message that Jesus was teaching. Nicodemus wanted to know more about eternal life and how to obtain it; he was curious but honest with Jesus.
Remember, Jesus spoke in parables mostly so the common people (Jews and Gentiles) could grasp his message. The Kingdom of God was upon them; He was their King sent by God; He was the Messiah they had been waiting for. But he wasn’t coming in the way they expected. Unless a person is born again spiritually, they will not see this Kingdom of Heaven Jesus was teaching then and is preparing for us now.
Another biblical reference to his this dire warning about His Lordship is also found in the Gospel of Matthew. In chapter 25, Jesus is explaining what the Kingdom of heaven will be like, beginning in verse one with the ten virgins going to meet the bridegroom. Then he explains about the talents that are given to people (the gifts and talents each person is given and what they do with them for His kingdom). But in verses 31-46, Jesus changes his venue and prophesies to them about the time when He will return to earth to rule from His Throne in Jerusalem. This is at the end of the Tribulation period.
He will gather all nations before Him that ruled during those seven years, and they will have to give account to Him on what they did and with what emphasis. You see, that is the key; read it closely. Read verse 41: “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.”
The words “I never knew you” aren’t there, but it’s probably the same here also. Ouch; notice the key words: depart, cursed, everlasting fire, and prepared! The lake of everlasting fire was prepared (reserved) for the devil and his angels that rebelled against God, not man. God does not want any person going to that torment; people send themselves there of their own freewill choice. Jesus is saying the same thing here; I never knew you. Sorry, I don’t know you. You weren’t one of mine; all the good deeds you think you did, you did on your own. They were guilty of omission – that is, they have refused to show compassion to the least of these, which is the same as failing to show care for Jesus himself.
The last thing you want to hear from God on that judgment day is “I never knew you.” There is nothing a person can do or say to change their outcome. They have made their choice during their life here on earth. They possibly knew and heard about Jesus as well as other lords or messiahs, perhaps believed and followed idols, some sort of a god figure. But their apathy in searching for the Truth, the One True Living God, kept them away from finding the real Jesus. I pray this is not you.
In His Name,
Clay Smith
Scripture is from the King James Version