“Not everyone that says unto Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven—but he that does the will of My Father which is in Heaven. Many will say to Me in that Day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your Name? And in Your Name have cast out devils? And in Your Name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you that work iniquity’.”
Matthew 7:21-23
Truly, they are “The Saddest Words Ever Heard.”
“I never knew you.”
So misguided is our world. So “blind” to the Truth (II Cor. 4:4), which is Christ and His claims on our life. Yet, pride has intoxicated them with their own sense of worth, robbing them of their felt need of the One Who created them. And, even though possibly quite religious, there’ll be but one word ringing in their ears as the Righteous Judge passes His righteous sentence:
“Lost. Lost. Lost without hope (Eph. 2:12). Lost without God. Lost for eternity.”
But, it’ll be “too little, too late” on that “Great White Throne Judgment Day” (Rev. 21:11-15). There’ll be no plea-bargaining. . .no “Let’s make a deal” wrangling. . .no “second chances” . . .no legal loopholes. . .no questioning the accuracy of the evidence.
Only the Verdict rendered by Truth Incarnate on that “great and terrible Day” (Joel 2:31).
Some picture His countenance that Day like that in Revelation where God’s Lamb—yea, “the Lion of Judah” (Rev. 5:5)—has “eyes as a flame of fire” (Rev. 19:12) as He says those mournful words, “Depart from Me, you that work iniquity; I never knew you.”
But, could it be those “flames of fire” are molten tears of sorrow that flow from His broken Heart because of “what might have been,” but now are “what never will be”?
“I never knew you. I wanted to know you. I wanted you to know Me. I wanted to love on you and give you everything that’s Mine—but you ‘would not’ (Dt. 1:26, 43, 45; 8:20; II Kings 17:14; II Chron. 24:19; Ps. 81:11; Is. 28:12; Ez. 20:8; Mt. 23:37). . .preferring instead to do it your way, not Mine.”
Oh, dear Pilgrim, the question is not “Do you know Jesus?” The question is “Does Jesus know you” (Jn. 10:14)?
And, there can be only one answer: “Yes” or “No.”
So, again, the question is “Does Jesus know you?” And, “Are you building your life upon Him, the Rock, by both hearing His sayings and doing them” (Mt. 7:24-27)?
If you’re not sure, “humble yourself and make sure your Friend” today (Prov. 6:3).
Do not delay—for the hour is late and His Judgment is sure. And, there’ll be no additional opportunities or revival meetings in hell. Again, it’ll be “too little, too late” (Lk. 16:19-31).
Even now, the Savior stands at every heart’s door, quietly knocking and whispering, “Let Me come in and I’ll dine with you and you with Me” (Rev. 3:20). And, if you’ve already opened to Him and He now lives within your heart, then do not rest until you ask someone else, “Does the Lord Jesus know you and are you walking in His Word and Will?”
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated March 11, 2010
