John 10:27 English Standard Version (ESV) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
Matthew 7:21-23 English Standard Version (ESV)
I Never Knew You
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
It is better to be known than to know.
The protest of Matthew 7:22 declare that many know Jesus based on declaring His name. We might call them “christians in name only”. What they lack is the indwelling presence of God.
John 14:23 English Standard Version (ESV) Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”
He knows us because He abides with us. If we look to our works as proof of that indwelling we are deceiving ourselves. God is able to work His will apart from His indwelling presence. The name of His Son has been invoked and God will not allow His Son to be put to shame. In order for those miracles to be perform there had to have been someone present that needed God’s will to be done.
Even with those of us that have the indwelling, His will is still paramount.
Philippians 2:13 English Standard Version (ESV) for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
God uses us, we do not use God.