“I Never Knew You” | Reflection
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 mighty works in your name? And then will I declare to them, I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.” Matthew 7:22-23
It is not enough to claim the name of Christ. It is not enough to go throughout the world and spread his name.
It is not even enough to cast out demons and move mountains in his name.
We could do all these things. Change lives, change the world even, and still hear: “Depart from me, I never knew you…”
So what is enough? How do we then navigate these seemingly impossible waters? How do we hear obtain the perfect prize of hearing “well done my good and faithful servant.”?
Thankfully, he provides the answer in the verse prior: Not every one who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
This is precisely why we are taught faith without works is dead. And now we are shown in this verse that works in faith, without first being led by the divine will, are vainglory, and will not bring us into the Fathers embrace on our final day.
Pursue not by your own actions and understanding but by the divine will of God. He set the mission before you. You are his servant. Be faithful, follow him.
