The verses Matthew 7:21-23 say: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”
This passage has led some to believe that it’s possible for genuine believers to lose their salvation if they fall away into sin and disobedience. However, there are a few important things to keep in mind when interpreting these verses.
Context of the Passage
The broader context of Matthew 7:21-23 is Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. In this sermon, Jesus emphasized that outward religiosity is insufficient to enter the kingdom of heaven. Throughout the sermon, Jesus corrected misunderstandings and improper practices of the Law that were common at the time. This passage concludes the sermon by warning against empty professions of faith.
Jesus was addressing a Jewish audience familiar with the prophecy, exorcism, and miracle-working he was referring to. These were believed to be signs of God’s favor and authentication of someone’s ministry. Jesus warns that even people who appear godly and do miraculous things in Jesus’ name may not actually have a saving relationship with Him.
Does “I Never Knew You” Mean Losing Salvation?
“I never knew you” reflects a failure to have a genuine relationship in the first place, not losing a previous relationship. Jesus wasn’t implying the people he’s addressing had at one time been saved but lost their salvation due to sin or disobedience. He was saying their profession of faith and miracles done in His name gave an appearance of a relationship, but in reality they never had a saving relationship with Him.
Salvation is not based on our works, but on faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). The fruit of the Spirit and obedience to Christ will result from a transformed heart through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). The people Jesus warns about had an outward show of godliness without an inward reality.
Characteristics of Those Warned
There are a few important characteristics of the people being addressed in this passage:
- They emphasize outward acts like prophesying, casting out demons, and doing miracles in Jesus’ name.
- They profess belief in Jesus as Lord.
- They are committed to lawlessness rather than obedience to Christ.
- They are unknown by Christ – there is no authentic relationship.
Based on these characteristics, Jesus seems to be warning of those who have an appearance of godliness but inwardly are not truly born again. Their profession of faith is proven false by their lawlessness.
Losing Salvation Would Contradict Other Scripture
The doctrine of conditional security that someone can lose their salvation conflicts with many other clear passages of Scripture. Here are a few examples:
- John 10:28 – Jesus says no one can snatch His sheep from His hand.
- Ephesians 1:13-14 – The Holy Spirit is given as a seal and guarantee of our inheritance.
- Romans 8:35-39 – Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ.
- Philippians 1:6 – God will complete the work He began in each believer until the day of Christ.
- 1 John 5:13 – Believers can know they have eternal life.
These and other verses indicate that salvation is secure for those who have genuinely placed their faith in Christ. While warnings against apostasy are valid for self-examination, the overall teaching of Scripture is that God maintains the salvation of believers.
Possible Interpretations
Considering the context and the rest of Scripture, here are a few possible interpretations of what Jesus meant by “I never knew you”:
- A warning against empty professions of faith: Jesus was warning that not everyone professing belief will truly be saved. Even doing religious works in His name does not necessarily mean salvation.
- A reference to false prophets: In Matthew 7:15 Jesus warns about false prophets who are ferocious wolves disguised in sheep’s clothing. This could connect back to those who do miraculous works but are not known by Christ.
- A future declaration at final judgment: Jesus could have been looking ahead to a future declaration He will make at the final judgment about those who profess faith but practice lawlessness.
In any case, the passage does not seem to teach that genuine believers can lose their salvation. Rather, it warns against false professions of faith not backed up by inward reality. It calls everyone to examine themselves whether their faith is authentic (2 Corinthians 13:5).
Assurance of Salvation
For believers today, your assurance of salvation can be built on promises of Scripture. Here are some key truths to remember:
- Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).
- Jesus gives eternal life that cannot be lost (John 10:28).
- The Holy Spirit guarantees your inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14).
- You can know you have eternal life (1 John 5:13).
- God will complete the work He began in you (Philippians 1:6).
Resting on these promises, believers do not need to live in fear of losing their salvation. God graciously secures the salvation of those who have genuinely trusted in Christ.
Warnings Against Apostasy
While Scripture promises security for believers, it also contains many warnings against apostasy. For example:
- 1 Corinthians 10:12 – warns believers to take care lest they fall.
- Galatians 5:4 – warns that those trying to be justified by Law have fallen from grace.
- Hebrews 3:12-14 – warns against unbelieving hearts leading to falling away from God.
- 2 Peter 2:20-22 – warns against returning to worldly corruption after knowing Christ.
These warnings encourage self-examination and perseverance for those who have come to faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). Those who heed them will continue to follow Christ out of love and gratitude for the free gift of salvation.
Conclusion
In summary, Matthew 7:21-23 does not teach that genuine believers can lose their salvation. The overall context of Scripture assures believers in Christ of their eternal security. However, these verses do give a sobering warning against empty professions of faith not accompanied by regeneration of the heart. They encourage believers to examine themselves to see if their faith is genuine as evidenced by love for Christ and obedience to Him.
This passage calls everyone to make sure they have come to sincere faith in Jesus alone for salvation. It gives urgency to the mission of making disciples who have counted the cost, understood the gospel, and repented of sin to follow Jesus faithfully by God’s grace and for His glory.