When “Lord, Lord” Is Not Enough: The Evidence of True Faith

The last two articles, plus this one, are all interrelated. The first one was about the narrow gate, followed by the previous article, which is about the proclamation of the broad way from the pulpit itself. This time, Rev. Sang Ho Bae explained that confession isn't enough to identify genuine saving faith

Matthew 7:21–23 is one of the most fearful warnings in the entire Bible. Jesus says that not everyone who calls, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven. This word is not directed toward unbelievers outside the church, but toward people inside the church who call upon the Lord’s name, serve, minister, and use religious language. Therefore, we cannot pass lightly before this passage.

The Lord unfolds before us the scene of the last day. On that day, all humanity will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. And at that place, some will hear the declaration that they have not been saved, and in shock they protest: “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and cast out demons in your name and do many mighty works in your name? ” (Matt 7:22). But the Lord’s answer is firm: “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness” (Matt 7:23). This word clearly shows us one fact: outwardly visible religious activity is not itself evidence of salvation.

Then why were they rejected? The people rejected by Jesus were not unbelievers. They called upon the Lord’s name, they ministered, and they even performed powers. But the basis of salvation on which they relied was not the basis presented by Scripture. They took their own works, their own zeal, the fruits of their own ministry, and their own abilities as evidence of salvation. But Scripture never once presents such things as the basis of salvation.

Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matt 7:21). Confession of the lips is important, but it is not sufficient by itself. Paul also says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom 10:9). Upon the confession of the lips, there must be belief of the heart—that is, whole-person trust.

Knowledge likewise is not evidence of salvation. James says, “Even the demons believe—and shudder” (Jas 2:19). Demons know that God is one, and they know that Jesus is the Son of God (Luke 8:28). But that knowledge does not lead to salvation. Knowledge is an element of faith, but knowledge alone is not faith.

Even zeal and service for the church are not evidence of salvation. A person can show zeal even by natural temperament. And Scripture shows that God sometimes entrusts power temporarily even to evil people. Saul prophesied yet was rejected by God. Judas Iscariot received power and ministered, but in the end he perished (Matt 10:1–4). Power is merely a gift, not evidence of salvation. Jesus also said to the disciples, “Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20). More important than power is the question of whether one is recorded in the book of life.

The word “to know” in Scripture means covenantal relationship, loving fellowship, and personal intimacy. “You only have I known of all the families of the earth” (Amos 3:2). The reason the Lord says He “does not know” them is that they never formed a personal relationship with Him. They used the Lord’s name and ministered, but they did not love the Lord. Their ministry was not for the Lord, but for themselves. They worked for honor, recognition, and accomplishment, and they mistook it as service for the Lord.

Reformed theology teaches that salvation is received by grace alone, by faith alone. But at the same time, it teaches that true faith necessarily bears fruit. Fruit is not the cause of salvation, but the inevitable result of salvation. Jesus already spoke in the Sermon on the Mount about the characteristics of a true believer: the poor in spirit, those who mourn over sin, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the pure in heart, and those who desire to do God’s will. A faith without such fruit, no matter how fervent the experiences and powers may be, can be false assurance.

This passage is not a word that merely frightens us; it is also a word that clearly shows what true faith is. Church attendance is not evidence of salvation. Neither biblical knowledge nor church service is evidence of salvation. The power to work miracles or to have mystical experiences is likewise not evidence of salvation. The evidence of true faith is not something grand but a heart that loves God, a desire to follow God’s will, a heart that hates sin and seeks to fight it, and a longing to have fellowship with the Lord. If such fruits exist, that is the evidence that the Holy Spirit dwells within us.

Matthew 7 speaks to us in this way: “Do not rely on false signs of salvation. Look only to your relationship with the Lord and to the fruit that flows from that relationship.” On the day we stand before the Lord, it will not be our ministry, achievements, power, or experiences, but our relationship with the Lord that will determine everything.

For the AI-generated song version of this article, check I Never Knew You.