Experiencing God's Presence #249

Many will say to me, “Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.” But I will reply, “I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.”

Matthew 7:22-23

It’s one of the scariest passages in Scripture but also one of the most revealing. This Jesus will later tell His disciples—and us, by implication—to do supernatural works in His name. “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!” (Matthew 10:8). But here He tells them that many will do exactly these things while calling Him “Lord” and find themselves outside His Kingdom. Why? Because He never knew them.

It makes little sense to us. It would make slightly more sense if He said, “You never knew Me,” but the issue is actually His knowledge of them. Clearly He isn’t talking about knowledge of them; He is in no way ignorant. No, He must be talking about relational knowledge—His communion and fellowship with them. If that’s lacking, so apparently is salvation itself.

Jesus’ words imply that it’s possible to do supernatural miracles in His name without belonging to Him—to tap into His power outside of a genuine relationship with Him. That stretches our theology, but it makes an essential point. The works we do are not the essence of the relationship. The relationship is a matter of sharing His Spirit, knowing His heart, and stepping into His purposes. It isn’t a supernatural sideshow, though it’s certainly supernatural. It isn’t a record of performance, though it certainly involves works and fruitfulness. The heart of the matter is . . . well, the heart. If He doesn’t have ours, we don’t have Him. And that’s a tragedy with devastating consequences.

Jesus, know me—in every sense of the word. I open myself up for You to fill me with Yourself. I want to do miracles, but only with You truly as my Lord. I want to bear fruit, but always and only Yours.

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