However, a passage from the Bible reminds us that good works are not enough on their own. In Matthew 7:22-24, Jesus warns his followers about the dangers of false prophets and those who claim to do good works in his name but do not truly know him.

The passage begins with the phrase "Many will say to me on that day," which refers to the final judgment day. This is the day when Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead, and all people will stand before him to give an account of their lives. The people mentioned in this passage are those who claim to have prophesied, driven out demons, and performed miracles in Jesus’ name.

It’s important to note that the people in question do not deny the fact that they did these things. They acknowledge that they prophesied, drove out demons, and performed miracles, all in the name of Jesus. However, Jesus’ response to them is shocking. He says, "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!"

This response is surprising because these people were doing what seemed like good works in Jesus’ name. They were prophesying, driving out demons, and performing miracles, all of which are things that Jesus himself did during his time on earth. But the key phrase in Jesus’ response is "I never knew you." This implies that while these people may have been doing good works, they did not truly know Jesus.

So what does it mean to truly know Jesus? To answer that question, we need to look at the context of Matthew 7:22-24. This passage is part of the Sermon on the Mount, which is a collection of Jesus’ teachings on various topics. In this sermon, Jesus emphasizes the importance of a personal relationship with God. He teaches his followers to pray in secret, to give to the needy without seeking recognition, and to treat others with love and respect.

In other words, Jesus’ message is that knowing God is not just about performing good works or following religious rules. It’s about having a personal relationship with God, where we seek to know him, love him, and follow his will. This is what distinguishes true followers of Jesus from those who may do good works but do not truly know him.

As theologian John Piper explains, "The essence of Christianity is not doing good things. The essence of Christianity is knowing God." In his book, "Don’t Waste Your Life," Piper emphasizes the importance of seeking a personal relationship with God above all else. He writes, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him."

Similarly, Christian author and pastor Timothy Keller emphasizes the importance of a personal relationship with God in his book, "The Prodigal God." He writes, "The gospel is not a religion of do, but a religion of done. It’s not about what we do for God, but what God has done for us." Keller emphasizes that our relationship with God is not based on our good works, but on his grace and mercy.

In a world where good works are often seen as the ultimate expression of religious devotion, Matthew 7:22-24 reminds us of the importance of a personal relationship with God. It challenges us to move beyond the surface level of religious observance and seek a deeper connection with the divine. Ultimately, it is this connection that will sustain us and guide us on our journey towards a truly meaningful and fulfilling life.

But how do we cultivate this personal relationship with God? As theologian J.I. Packer explains, "Knowing God is a matter of personal dealing. Knowing God is more than knowing about him; it is a matter of dealing with him as he opens up to you, and being dealt with by him as he takes knowledge of you." This means spending time in prayer, reading the Bible, and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

As we seek to know and be known by God, we must also examine ourselves regularly, asking whether our actions and motivations align with his desires for our lives. As Christian author and pastor Francis Chan writes, "We are not saved by good works, but we are saved to do good works." Our good works should flow from our relationship with God, not the other way around.

If someone who is known in public ministry realizes that their work does not flow from a personal relationship with God, there are practical steps they can take to seek to know God and repent:

Spend time in prayer - Prayer is a powerful tool for connecting with God and seeking his guidance. Someone in public ministry can set aside time each day to pray, asking God to reveal himself and his will.

Read the Bible - The Bible is God’s word, and reading it can help someone understand who God is and how he wants us to live. Someone in public ministry can make a commitment to read the Bible regularly, seeking to understand its teachings and apply them to their life.

Seek accountability - It’s important to have a group of trusted individuals who can hold us accountable and help us stay on track. Someone in public ministry can seek out a mentor or accountability partner who can provide guidance and support.

Repent and seek forgiveness - If someone realizes that their work in public ministry does not flow from a personal relationship with God, they should repent and seek forgiveness. This means acknowledging their mistakes and committing to making changes in their life and ministry.

In conclusion, Matthew 7:22-24 is a powerful reminder of the importance of a personal relationship with God. While good works are important, they are not enough on their own.

We must seek to know and love God, and to follow his will in all aspects of our lives. As John Piper writes, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him." Let us seek to know and be known by God, and find true satisfaction and fulfillment in him.