Feb. 25, 2025

Three Critical Mistakes Christians Make About Matthew 7:21-23

Show Notes

This week, we dive into one of Jesus’ most unsettling statements from Matthew 7:21-23—”I never knew you. Depart from me.” Often misinterpreted as a call for believers to work more and try harder, we unpack how this passage actually dismantles a works-based approach to salvation, revealing that knowing Jesus—not religious performance—is what truly matters. We explore cultural and personal struggles with grace, how legalism warps our understanding of faith, and why even good works can become a form of self-salvation. Let’s get to it!

In this episode:

(00:00) - Intro
(02:33) – Why Matthew 7:21-23 is one of the most unsettling passages in the Bible
(04:39) - Personal reflections on salvation
(08:28) – Common misunderstanding about faith and works
(13:28) – What Jesus really meant by “depart from me, I never knew you”
(18:18) – How legalism distorts our faith and fuels doubt
(19:18) – The surprising way Jesus’ words dismantle a performance-based gospel
(23:28) – How good works become self-salvation
(27:58) – How growing up in religious environments can lead to fear and insecurity
(29:08) – The radical, often-overlooked simplicity of grace
(33:28) – What it actually means to “do the will of the Father”
(35:28) – Why our human nature resists the idea that salvation is 100% free
(39:30) - The radical nature of grace

Key Takeaways

Salvation Is About Knowing Jesus, Not Earning Favor: Many misinterpret Matthew 7:21-23 as a warning to work harder, but Jesus is actually challenging a works-based mindset. True faith isn’t about performance—it’s about knowing and trusting God.
Religious Effort Can’t Save You: The people in this passage thought their good works—prophesying, casting out demons, and performing miracles—secured their salvation. But Jesus rejects them, showing that even impressive religious acts can become a form of self-salvation if they replace genuine faith.
Grace Is Radically Free: Unlike human relationships, which are often transactional, God’s grace isn’t based on what we do. Jesus didn’t come to help us finish the job—he came to completely replace our efforts with his finished work.
Understanding the Will of the Father: Jesus says, “Only those who do the will of my Father will enter.” The will of God isn’t about external actions—it’s about faith in Christ. Knowing him is the foundation of salvation, and everything else flows from that relationship.

Links