This verse from Matthew 7:23 is getting bandied about in a couple of threads in regard to things other than what it appears to have been related to (and that's the nicest way I know how to put it!).
In Matthew 7:15-20 -- the verses immediately preceding this section -- Jesus is warning about false teachers and the fruit that comes from their teachings. As He says, "every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."
IMMEDIATELY after this He explains a little more, saying, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he 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 perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"
These people He says that to, who are they? They are the false teachers of the previous passage. They could easily include Roman Catholic priests, Mormon priests, JW leaders, and a reasonable number of televangelists and other cult-type figures. By their fruits you will know them.
But the person who simply and truly believes in Jesus Christ and trusts HIM as Savior is not in that group. For of the person who belongs to Christ, it is said that nothing can separate him from the love of Christ.
It has been stated that if you die with unconfessed sin, you will go to hell. This is not only what the Roman Catholics teach (except they most substitute Purgatory, but this is also why they have last rites), but this is a denial of the fact that Christ died once for all sin. In the Old Testament there are sacrifices not only for known and confessed sins, but for unknown and unintentional sins. Jesus was one sin offering for all for all time. That very much includes unconfessed and unknown sins.
We cannot possibly know every time we offend God. I think we who are Christians would prefer to die of embarrassment if we did know! But His love has covered over all of it. It is not to us that Jesus will say "Depart from me, I never knew you!" A lot of us have differences among each other here, but I think the vast majority of those who post here truly love the Lord and are born again in Him. And the Holy Spirit is leading each of us to become more and more like our Lord, which is what He promised us would happen.
I am begging those of you here who seem so quick to pass judgment on others, and some who are using the "depart from me" passage as a threat, to stop judging others' eternal destiny. God knows the heart, in all situations.
From what I can see, the majority of those here on Baptist Board are struggling to know the Lord and His Word better and to be closer to our Lord in their lives. So let us encourage one another 'while it is called Today.'
In Matthew 7:15-20 -- the verses immediately preceding this section -- Jesus is warning about false teachers and the fruit that comes from their teachings. As He says, "every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."
IMMEDIATELY after this He explains a little more, saying, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he 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 perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"
These people He says that to, who are they? They are the false teachers of the previous passage. They could easily include Roman Catholic priests, Mormon priests, JW leaders, and a reasonable number of televangelists and other cult-type figures. By their fruits you will know them.
But the person who simply and truly believes in Jesus Christ and trusts HIM as Savior is not in that group. For of the person who belongs to Christ, it is said that nothing can separate him from the love of Christ.
It has been stated that if you die with unconfessed sin, you will go to hell. This is not only what the Roman Catholics teach (except they most substitute Purgatory, but this is also why they have last rites), but this is a denial of the fact that Christ died once for all sin. In the Old Testament there are sacrifices not only for known and confessed sins, but for unknown and unintentional sins. Jesus was one sin offering for all for all time. That very much includes unconfessed and unknown sins.
We cannot possibly know every time we offend God. I think we who are Christians would prefer to die of embarrassment if we did know! But His love has covered over all of it. It is not to us that Jesus will say "Depart from me, I never knew you!" A lot of us have differences among each other here, but I think the vast majority of those who post here truly love the Lord and are born again in Him. And the Holy Spirit is leading each of us to become more and more like our Lord, which is what He promised us would happen.
I am begging those of you here who seem so quick to pass judgment on others, and some who are using the "depart from me" passage as a threat, to stop judging others' eternal destiny. God knows the heart, in all situations.
From what I can see, the majority of those here on Baptist Board are struggling to know the Lord and His Word better and to be closer to our Lord in their lives. So let us encourage one another 'while it is called Today.'
