"I never knew you"
Doesn't that mean there was no personal relationship with Jesus? And, doesn't it tell us that a personal relationship with him is the most important thing of all?
I think when Jesus said he never KNEW them I think it meant He never had intimate fellowship with them, never had full communion with them. I think this is the state of MANY people who think they are "saved" because of a prayer they prayed, or an event they experienced, or a church they go to, and
it is perpetuated by a view of the salvation of man that revolves around theology rather than a way of life- a road.
Joseph KNEW Mary, and they had another child- same word. I think it is more along those lines- but I'll grant that that is debatable.
But even if I give that point up and say OK- they never had a relationship with Jesus at all- THEY THOUGHT THEY DID! And why was that? What was it that perpetuated that blindness?
The traditions of men make the word of God of no effect.
This explanation of the judgment of God
by Jesus tells us
what God regards. It is a perfect parallel with the parable of the good Samaritan. It tells us their knowing/ or not knowing of Him was revealed- not by the works they did IN HIS NAME, but rather, the acts of kindness they did from the heart for those in need. Therefore, IMO
what that means is- many thought they knew Him but didn't, and God judged their works "as evidence" of it.
"Wide is the road that leads to destruction and many are on it." THIS IS NOT ABOUT HEAVEN AND HELL and never was. The narrow gate is about DELIVERANCE FROM THE RAVAGES OF DEATH and how we get FREE IN AIONIOS ZOE/LIFE. Many are on a road to death but think they are on a road to life.
1 Corinthians 3:15 clearly states there will be believers saved, "but as through fire". I think they are the ones of who Jesus speaks.
Like the parable of the servant who buried His talent. He RECEIVED the talent. But he revealed that He did not know(understand the divine nature of, commune with) the Lord, "I knew you were a hard man reaping where you did not sow, so I buried my talent in the ground. Here, have back what you gave me as it was when you gave it to me". Again the same answer, "Take the unprofitable servant and cast him into outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
"To the one who has, more shall be given, to the one who has not, even that which he has shall be taken away"
Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you
received, in which also you stand,
by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you,
unless you believed in vain.
(1Co 15:1-2)
These words raise all kinds of questions with our systematic theology. But I don't mind questioning our traditions because we know that in the end, ALL ARE SAVED(healed, delivered, made whole). In this age God is
choosing a priesthood for the ages to come- that's why all the emphasis on GOOD AND BAD STEWARDS. PROFITABLE AND UNPROFITABLE SERVANTS. WORKS AND THE JUDGMENT OF GOD.
If any man does not pick up his cross daily and come follow me, HE CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE. So, "to believe" means to PICK UP ONE'S CROSS? Can one "believe"(another religiously corrupted word along with "saved") and NOT PICK IT UP? Or would that person have RECEIVED, but BELIEVED IN VAIN? So,
if believing and picking up one's cross are the same- what IS picking up one's cross?
Sorry, I am not trying to be contentious- I am just trying to shake the tree of our RELIGIOUS PERCEPTIONS and THEOLOGICAL PRECONCEPTIONS in hopes that a deeper understanding falls out :o) Peace, John