Didn't We or Didn't He?

A reflection on Matthew 7:21-23

21 “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. 22 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?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ ~ Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV)

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

I’ve been slowly going through Matthew’s Gospel with some friends, and we recently came to these verses at the end of the Sermon on the Mount. It’s one of those passages that gives me pause. To be honest, it’s scary. Jesus is calling out false disciples, which isn’t all that unexpected. But what’s a little unnerving is that there’s no indication in the passage that the false disciples know their state. On the contrary, the people denied entrance into the kingdom seem legitimately surprised to be turned away.

In other words, they genuinely think they’re saved… but they’re not. It’s not as though they know they’re just “playing church.” It’s not like they outwardly pretend to be Christians while inwardly knowing they’re not really all in with Jesus. These false disciples are surprised that they didn’t make it in. So, they do what we all do. “Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?” In other words: “Look at my record!” And that’s what reveals the true nature of their faith.

I once heard a pastor say it this way:

They said, “Didn’t we…” when they should have said, “Didn’t he…”

When push came to shove, they fell back on their own works rather than Jesus’s work on the cross. All the things they did in Christ’s name are great. But our efforts don’t earn us a seat at God’s table. If you were standing before the judgment throne of Christ and he asked, “Why should I allow you into the kingdom?” what would your answer be? Would you say, “Because I…” or, “Because you…”?

Because you gave your life in exchange for mine on the cross.

Because you were raised on the third day.

Because you heard my cry and saved me from utter darkness.

Because your righteousness was credited to my account.

Because you died, and since I have been crucified with you, I no longer live, but you live in me.

Because you are my great God and Savior, and your blood has purchased me.

Because you are faithful and just to forgive me of my sin and purify me from all unrighteousness.

Because you, who never sinned, became sin for me so that in you I could become the righteousness of God.

Take a few moments to reflect on what Jesus has done for you. Why has God saved you? When your default position becomes, “Didn’t he…,” the joy that will fill your life will be so full you can’t describe it. It might not come all in a rush. One day, you’ll realize you’re on the train with Jesus, but you shouldn’t be there. And the fact that he loves you anyway—enough to purchase your seat with his own blood—will come home to your heart with overwhelming love.