Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 7:22-23

"Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." — Matthew 7:22-23 (ASV)

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 to them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.

An orthodox creed will not save if it stands alone, neither will it be sure to do so if accompanied by official position and service.

These people said, Lord, Lord, and, in addition, pleaded their prophesying or preaching in his name. All the preaching in the world will not save the preacher if he does not practice. Yes, and he may have been successful—successful to a very high degree—and in your name have cast out devils, and yet, without personal holiness, the caster-out of devils will be cast out himself. The success boasted of may have had about it surprising circumstances of varied interest—and in your name done many wonderful works; and yet the man may be unknown to Christ.

Three times over the person is described as doing all in your name; and yet the Lord, whose name he used so freely, so boldly, knew nothing of him, and would not suffer him to remain in his company. The Lord cannot endure the presence of those who call him Lord, Lord, and then work iniquity. They professed to him that they knew him, but he will profess to them, I never knew you.

How solemn is this reminder to me and to others! Nothing will prove us to be true Christians but a sincere doing of the Father's will! We may be known by all to have great spiritual power over devils, and men, and yet our Lord may not own us in that great day, but may drive us out as impostors whom he cannot tolerate in his presence.

An orthodox creed will not save if it stands alone, nor will it be certain to do so if accompanied by official position and service. These people said, Lord, Lord, and in addition, pleaded their prophesying or preaching in His name. All the preaching in the world will not save the preacher if he does not practice. Yes, and he may have been successful—successful to a very high degree, and in thy name have cast out devils, and yet, without personal holiness, the caster-out of devils will be cast out himself.

The success boasted of may have had about it surprising circumstances of varied interest—and in thy name done many wonderful works, and yet the man may be unknown to Christ. Three times over the person is described as doing all in thy name, and yet the Lord, whose name he used so freely, so boldly, knew nothing of him and would not permit him to remain in His company. The Lord cannot endure the presence of those who call Him, Lord, Lord, and then work iniquity. They professed to Him that they knew Him, but He will profess unto them, I never knew you.

How solemn is this reminder to me and to others! Nothing will prove us to be true Christians but a sincere doing of the Father’s will! We may be known by all to have great spiritual power over devils and men, and yet our Lord may not own us in that great day, but may drive us out as impostors whom He cannot tolerate in His presence.

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

If our lives are evil, it does not matter to what denomination we belong; we may be clever preachers, or mighty teachers, we may imagine that we have had dreams and visions, we may set ourselves up to be some great ones; but if we have not done the will of God, we will in the end hear Christ say to us, Depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

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 to them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.

If Christ does not know us, it does not matter what we do. Even if we work miracles, if we astound the world with our abilities, it is all nothing if Christ does not know us. Now, I think there are many here who can humbly but confidently say, "He knows me." He knows some of us, if by nothing else, by our constantly begging him. We have been persistent with him day and night in our necessities, pleading for his bounty, his mercy, his company; and he cannot say he does not know us. He knows a great deal about us, even through our prayers, if by no other way.