Matthew 7:21-23 reveals a dreadful scene. Men, who apparently knew the name of Jesus, prophesied, and cast out demons in his name, will be cast into hell. Jesus does not mix words. He unveils their hearts as disobedient and lawless. Then, even more startling, he says that he does not know them. They claimed to know him and do his works but when truth be told, the one who matters most does not have a relationship with these men. They must depart.
Matthew 25:41-46 is even more astonishing. These “goats” seem to know the Lord. Their knowing him did not move them to serve him or other men. Their religion was dead and stagnate. At least the previous group of men in chapter seven did something. These did nothing and the penalty was eternal. Jesus calls them cursed and tells them to depart.
These two examples are striking. They are very similar, but at the same time, the differences are enlightening. In the first, “religious” men did what they presumed was the work of Christ. They ministered, healed the demon possessed, prophesied, and are said to do other works. Jesus does not disagree with them or call them liars. What they reported may be true. The one thing missing was of course the most important, they did not know Christ. Even more terrifying was that Jesus did not know them. All of their supposed works were nothing but filthy rags. God and His Christ were not glorified, sought, honored, or obeyed. It was empty and void of God’s Spirit and blessing. In the end, they served only themselves. They built a tower of Babel and tried to reach the heavens by their own hands and make a name for themselves. They relied on their efforts to save them and did not trust in God’s appointed means of salvation.
The second group of men are polar opposites. They did nothing. They did not minister to anyone, do any works, or seek to obey God in the least. These irreligious men had no case to bring before Christ. All they had were excuses. They pleaded ignorance, but it fell on deaf ears. The men did not even try to serve Christ, they didn’t look for opportunities. They were lazy, unmoved, unloving, heartless, and dead. There religion did not amount to anything. If the first group can be compared to legalists, these men would fall under the banner of antinomianism.
Obviously, both of the previous examples of “Christianity” are alive and well in the church. It could also be said that they are thriving. Instead of speaking to the Rock, we are striking it (Numbers 20). Churches are their own guide and standard. They make the rules and if someone doesn’t follow them, they can leave. These are Christians in name only. They pay lip service to Christ, but are trying so hard to serve two masters. Predictably, when this is done one is hated while the other is loved. Oh, these people want the benefits of Christ and long for heaven, what sane person would want to go to hell?, but what is really driving them is the idols of their hearts. Even the Jews had an interest in Christ; they wanted to make him king (John 6:15,26). They wanted his blessings but not him. They desired full bellies but not satisfied souls.
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