Matthew 7:22

Matthew 7:22 (KJV) is a powerful and sobering warning delivered by Jesus Christ as part of His Sermon on the Mount. It exposes the danger of religious activity without genuine relationship and obedience to God's will. This verse anticipates a future day of judgment where many will be shocked to find their seemingly impressive spiritual accomplishments are insufficient for salvation.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' warning about false prophets (Matthew 7:15-20), who are known by their fruits, and directly precedes the crucial declaration in Matthew 7:21: "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." The entire passage (Matthew 7:13-27) contrasts true discipleship with superficial religiosity, culminating in the parable of the wise and foolish builders.

Key Themes

• False Assurance and Self-Deception: The individuals in this verse are confident in their standing before Christ, believing their works (prophesying, casting out devils, miracles) are proof of their belonging. This highlights the peril of relying on outward performance rather than a transformed heart.
• Works vs. Relationship: Jesus emphasizes that even powerful spiritual gifts or "wonderful works" (Greek: dynameis, meaning 'powers' or 'miracles') performed "in thy name" do not equate to a saving relationship with Him. The issue is not the legitimacy of the works themselves, but the lack of an intimate, obedient connection to Christ.
• The Day of Judgment: The phrase "in that day" refers to a future moment of reckoning, often understood as the final judgment or Christ's second coming. This underscores the seriousness and finality of divine evaluation.
• Authority and Authenticity: While these individuals invoke Jesus' name, suggesting an acknowledgment of His authority, their actions lack the true obedience and love that characterize genuine discipleship. Their authority was borrowed, not truly possessed through union with Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The repetition of "Lord, Lord" (Greek: Kyrie, Kyrie) can signify earnestness or desperation, but in this context, it highlights a superficial acknowledgment of Jesus' title without true submission to His lordship. The KJV's "wonderful works" comes from the Greek word dynameis, which means 'powers' or 'miracles'. This suggests that the individuals were not necessarily faking these acts; rather, they were performing genuine spiritual manifestations, but without the underlying genuine faith and obedience required for salvation. This underscores the crucial distinction between spiritual gifting and spiritual salvation, a theme also touched upon in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3.

Practical Application

Matthew 7:22 serves as a vital call to introspection for believers today:

• Examine Your Foundation: Are your spiritual activities (church attendance, ministry, service) rooted in a personal, obedient relationship with Jesus, or are they mere rituals or attempts to earn favor? True discipleship is built on hearing and doing God's word.
• Beware of Self-Righteousness: It's easy to mistake outward religious performance for genuine righteousness. This verse warns against spiritual pride and the danger of assuming salvation based on accomplishments.
• Focus on Obedience and Relationship: The emphasis is not on the quantity or impressiveness of works, but on doing "the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). Salvation is by grace through faith, leading to a life of obedience, not by works as a means to earn it (Ephesians 2:8-9).
• The Seriousness of Judgment: This verse reminds us that there will be a day of accounting where superficial faith will be exposed. As Jesus declares in Matthew 7:23, the ultimate tragedy is to hear, "I never knew you."