I feel led to blog about what I believe is the scariest and the saddest words in the Bible …

depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

This one verse in the Bible, found in Matthew 7:23, I believe is both the scariest and the saddest words in the Bible. This verse goes to show there are many people who believe they are saved and doing the work of the Lord, but truly they are not saved at all.

Some people are following false teachers and preachers. Wolves in Sheep clothing they are called. They are doing the work of the devil to deceive people and make them feel they are on the right path and when they are not. Some people are following who they believe is Jesus, but they are not following the true righteous Jesus of the Bible. (Check out Wolves in Sheep Clothes)

Some preach Christ out of selfish desires and not desires of Christ. (See Philippians 1:16)

[pullquote]depart from me, ye that work iniquity.[/pullquote]

I believe it is the scariest because when we stand before the Jesus on judgement day, we will be accountable for all that we done, including not truly following Him. The Bible is clear we will know each other by their fruits. (Check out the Fruit of the Spirit). Jesus also said if you love me you will keep my commandments.

If you read on after that, it says … I never knew you!

See verse Matthew 7:22, it shows us people believe they are saved. They believe they are doing the work of Jesus. But were their hearts in the right place or not? It is also scary because we stand before the righteous God, a just God. He can sentence to hell.

I believe it is the saddest because when we reject Jesus or truly not accepted Jesus we will end up in eternity in hell. Yes, eternity,. we have two destinations. (Check out Your Final Destination). Hell is a terrible place to be. There will be no parties like people think. You will be bound to hell for eternity with the devil in a lake of fire and torment.

When Jesus says Depart from me. He is saying away with you! Get away from me! He is issuing your punishment. An everlasting punishment in the lake of fire. Hell is also an eternal separation from God and eternal darkness. There is no light in hell.

No one can come to the father but through Jesus Christ. (Check out the One Way Sign). So when you claim to do things for Jesus make sure you are doing them with the right heart. Note, I said heart, not mind.

Do you truly know Jesus in your heart or do you know of Jesus in your mind? Do you have the personal relationship with Jesus or do you have a religious experience with Jesus? I pray that you know Jesus in your heart truly and have that personal relationship with Him. Because you love Him you will keep His commandments. You will not have a desire to live in open sin or have a license to sin. (Check out A License to Sin). So that way when you die and face judgement day you won’t hear these words from Jesus … depart from me, ye that work iniquity

Bible reference Matthew 7:20-24:

²⁰ Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

²¹ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

²² Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

²³ And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

²⁴ Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.

About the Author

Steve Patterson

A Christian Blogger that enjoys blogging about the Bible, Theology, God, Jesus Christ, Christian Music, Family, Cats, Odd Holidays, sewing and much more. I have been blogging since 2004, however, I have been blogging on Courageous Christian Father since 2012. I enjoy listening to Christian Music. I am married with 1 daughter, 2 step-sons and a step daughter.

See author's posts