Matthew 7:23

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

What do we think about when we see the word iniquity? Sin, right?

Jesus was about to go to the cross and remove sin as an obstacle to having a personal relationship with God. His insight into a future encounter with those who call Him savior takes that into account. Why does He say “I never knew you”?

Since we are all sinners saved by grace and sin would no longer be an issue in a relationship, then there is a type of believer that does not have a personal relationship with Jesus.

There is a study that expands on the work done by the believers in Matthew 7:22 which I considered insight. That insight was “of unauthorized works.”

I personally find comfort in looking at iniquity as being unauthorized works. That places the focus on the relationship above scriptural understanding. He is Lord and as Lord He has the right to ask us to do the Father’s will. We still have to choose to obey but if we have not been given a command by our Lord then we are doing what we want without regard for what He wants. That is unauthorized work.

I cannot expect everyone to have this same insight just because it works for me. Someone else came up with that insight and I adopted it because I could see it working for me.

There are many bible scholars that have spent decades of studies on what their predecessors had written and influenced their understanding. Today we have a new list of writers to choose from including topical books and study bibles. Getting a list of writers who have a body of work that is out of publication is difficult to recover for our own consumption.

What sources we use is a matter of both personal comfort and accessibility. Those sources should be dedicated to truth and service to our Lord.

The internet has a library of information larger than any building could ever hold.

The internet is also full of dangerous minefields for our souls. 

If I can offer insight, praise God. If not, praise God. This is your relationship with our Lord.

Matthew 22

English Standard Version

The Parable of the Wedding Feast

22 And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, 2 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, 3 and sent his servants[a] to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. 4 Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.”’ 5 But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. 7 The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ 10 And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.

11 “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. 12 And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”

When I was in high school registering for the draft was required of all young men of age. If your number came up you were chosen and you did not have a choice about which branch of service you would be inducted into. Many young men did not want to be drafted into the Marines. 

At the time a draftee received a military designation of US and an enlisted man received a designation of RA. In Vietnam it was seen as you were one of us or you’re just a Regular A.

Verse 14 above reminds me of that. Many signed up for the draft but only those whose number came up were chosen. It didn’t have anything to do with intentions, your number was up and you became one of us. Called or chosen, self-will or God’s will?

How you came to serve might not matter to those that died but if God chooses you it does matter.

“But I served you Lord?”

Matthew 7:23

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.