Matthew 7:22-23 English Standard Version (ESV)

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.’

If we rely on our works to save us we have failed. If we think that works are a sign of salvation we are deceived. We know who deceives, it is Satan.

Verse 20 says we will be known by our fruits.

Galatians 5:22-23 English Standard Version (ESV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Note closely that the issue of law is mentioned. These fruits are produced by the Holy Spirit by virtue of His presence in the body and not by obedience on our part. Neither obedience to law nor obedience by faith produce these fruits. It is the primary sign of the indwelling Holy Spirts.

This is the primary sign of our salvation. The Holy Spirit produces them and not we ourselves.

Can they be replicated by the flesh? Sure, but like all things of the flesh they will wither and die. Flesh produces death, they will wither.

Jeremiah 8:13 English Standard Version (ESV)  When I would gather them, declares the Lord, there are no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree; even the leaves are withered, and what I gave them has passed away from them.

Return to Matthew 7:23 again for a moment. Jesus declared that He never knew them. This indicates there is no relationship. They were not His sheep, they harkened to the voice of a different master. The issue of those works being lawless is best understood as not being authorized by the will of God.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁷ “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.
⁸ He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

Yesterday I asked us to set aside this question about hearing God’s voice for a moment in order to speak to more important issues. While I do understand the issue it should not replace the primary important effects of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Using those spiritual ears and eyes are not the primary signs of salvation.

Ezekiel 34:27 English Standard Version (ESV) And the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield its increase, and they shall be secure in their land. And they shall know that I am the Lord, when I break the bars of their yoke, and deliver them from the hand of those who enslaved them.

Both of these scriptures indicate that fruit production is the indication of salvation and the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Fruits are not works.

Matthew 7:19-23 English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

I Never Knew You

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.’

The fruit produced are the fruits of the Spirit.