FOMO ∙∙
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 7:21
Matthew 7:21-23
21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.”
22 “On judgment day, many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’”
23 “But I will reply, ‘I never knew you.’”
FOMO, Fear Of Missing Out, is a state of mental or emotional tension experienced because of concern that a window opportunity will be missed. It is that pang we feel in our stomachs when we are anxious that a favorable set of circumstances will slip through our fingers and be forever lost. Simply stated, FOMO is the fear of not being included.
FOMO occurs frequently in the realm of investments such as stocks, precious metals, real estate, startups, and the like. But any assets in this present world yield only short-term gains. What generates residual returns that provide long-lasting benefits? Do any earthly assets offer never-ending rewards? Of course not.
Can investments be made that result in long-term gains which last forever?
1 Timothy 4:8 Godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
The prospect of eternal joy in the presence of the Father is the clear expectation of every child of the King (Psalms 16:11). The possibility of missing out would be almost inconceivable.
John 10:29 No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.
By faith, we are confident that it could never happen but suppose for a moment that it could. The possibility of eternal separation from the Father would be emotionally crippling. FOMO would be off the charts. What would people who are not children of the King experience?
Eternal separation from the Father is the final link in a chain of bad personal decisions. People choose doubt and unbelief rather than faith and confidence. People choose sin rather than surrender. A chain reaction is set in motion. When sin is selected, it leads to death, death to the Father. Death to the Father leads to eternal separation from Him.
The stock market crashed in 1929, leading to the Great Depression. How great will depression and anxiety be for those who are faithless? Sadly, many of the faithless masquerade as faithful. Wearing a disguise never fools the Father. He knows each of those who are His children and those who are not.
The reality of coming judgment is fixed. Sadly, many who think they are safe and secure in the Father’s Forever Family are misguided. Their own disguise fools them. Unfortunately, many will not become aware of this until they have a face-to-face encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:21-23).
The Father has graciously presented a remedy to prevent everlasting separation for those willing to accept it. They can avoid missing out. Redemption has been provided through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:55-57
55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?
56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.
57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
REFLECT & PRAY
The outbreak of cold, unloving hearts has exploded in the 21st century. We need to stand firm. Hate what is wrong and hold tightly to what is good (Romans 12:9).
Father in so many ways, I have missed out on so much. Thank You for securing my place in Your eternal home.
INSIGHT
2 Timothy 3:1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days, there will be very difficult times.
The rough, turbulent times in which we live are escalating. The entire world groans and is caught in a downward cycle.
The Greek word translated as difficult, perilous, or terrible is chalepos. In the New Testament, chalepos is used only twice. In Matthew 8:28, this term describes the vicious ferocity of two demoniacs from the country of the Gadarenes. 2 Timothy 3:1 describes the Zeitgeist, the character and essence of the age which marks the last days. The days will be so horrendous. They will be difficult to endure, troublesome, dangerous, harsh, fierce, and savage.
2 Timothy 3:1-4 showcases “one of the most terrible pictures in the New Testament of what a godless world would be like, with the terrible qualities of godlessness set out in a ghastly list” (Barclay).
The last days are a time of violence and danger, an ugly time. It will be a Reign of Terror dwarfing that of the French Revolution. Conditions will become so bad that people will hardly believe what is happening. Evil will savagely target that which is good and godly. This final assault of evil will threaten the existential existence of humanity. But rest assured, evil will be defeated, and the Father will prevail.
What would this lawless and godless world be like? What are the ghastly characteristics of those who embrace it?
There are 19 specific characteristics outlined for the worst of the lot: they will love only themselves and their money. Further, they will be braggarts, arrogant, lovers of self, disobedient to their parents, and thankless. They will consider nothing sacred, without human affection, implacable in hatred, reveling in slander, uncontrollable in their passions, savage, not knowing what the love of good is, treacherous, reckless, inflated with pride, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly (Barclay and NLT, 2 Timothy 3:2-5).
Paul provided us with a snapshot of the last days. Is there any doubt that invisible evil spiritual influencers are working behind the scenes to lay the groundwork for the rise of the Antichrist? Thanks to modern media, horrific events are captured and streamed to our digital devices without end.
The description that Paul provided mirrors modern society. Is the future now? If so, it is a loud and clear wake-up call. FOMO, fear of missing out, will escalate exponentially. Even the children of the King may be gripped by distress. If a heaven-bound train makes a pickup anywhere nearby, make every effort to take it. The Lord Jesus Christ stands at the door and knocks (Revelation 3:20). He alone knows the way and offers certain and safe passage (John 14:6).
A time is coming when the Father will have a climactic collision with evil itself. In the end, He will triumph.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 3-12-1
© Dr. H 2023
Dr H Reflections 
So, we are redeemed through Christ, yet still might be cast from his presence at death? “I never knew you” hmmm, Is it my faith in his promise that keeps me from negative final judgment? Or is it a crap shoot…we’ll you were OK, but, didn’t make the team in the end. Fear of God is healthy, but the dangle that you will face final evaluation at death – which could go either way!? seems to be contrary to our redemption through Christ Jesus. I look at this as, how would I explain that to a non-believer? We discuss eternal life through Christ and being renewed, highlighting repentance, surrender, and clinging to the Word…how does “I never knew You” play into that package?
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Alan,
Your question requires a more in-depth response. I’m replying to you in email. I will also post this response on the website under comments.
So, we are redeemed through Christ, yet still might be cast from his presence at death? “I never knew you” hmmm, Is it my faith in his promise that keeps me from negative final judgment?
Your instincts and discernment are right on target! Our salvation is never in danger, ever!
Romans 8:1-39
1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow– not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.
39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below– indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
We are included in Paul’s statement in Romans 8:39. We are unable to separate ourselves from the love of Christ. We are totally secure.
John 10:27-29
27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me,
29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.
Seems to be contrary to our redemption through Christ Jesus. I look at this as, how would I explain that to a non-believer? We discuss eternal life through Christ and being renewed, highlighting repentance, surrender, and clinging to the Word…how does “I never knew You” play into that package?
So, we are redeemed through Christ, yet still might be cast from his presence at death? “I never knew you” hmmm, Is it my faith in his promise that keeps me from negative final judgment?
Your instincts and discernment are right on target! Our salvation is never in danger, ever!
Seems to be contrary to our redemption through Christ Jesus. I look at this as, how would I explain that to a non-believer? We discuss eternal life through Christ and being renewed, highlighting repentance, surrender, and clinging to the Word…how does “I never knew You” play into that package?
John 10:27-29
27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me,
29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.
Here is the bottom line!
Matthew 7:21-23 is not describing real Christians.
It is describing false questions, nominal Christians, or people that think they are Christians but indeed are not.
It will be a rude awakening for many churchgoers that have never accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord.
Believing the facts about Jesus is not enough for salvation.
The demons believe the facts and they tremble (James 2:19)
James 2:19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.
It is about believing the facts and accepting them as true. Is it about accepting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord at a moment of time.
This biblical truth is not clearly taught in many churches, particularly in the Christian faith that you were brought up in.
Matthew 7:21-23
21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.”
22 “On judgment day, many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’”
23 “But I will reply, ‘I never knew you.’”
Rest assured – you made the cut – the moment you ACCEPTED Christ as your personal Savior and Lord!
The Folks in the background or very religious, Jewish, Pharisees. They had a form of godliness, but they didn’t know God.
Matthew 7:21-23 Jesus is teaching his disciples about the importance of true discipleship and the significance of one’s actions in relation to their profession of faith. Here is the passage from The Passion Translation (TPT):
Matthew 7:21-23 TPT
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into heaven’s kingdom. It is only those who persist in doing the will of my heavenly Father. On the day of judgment, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, don’t you remember us? Didn’t we prophesy in your name? Didn’t we cast out demons and do many miracles in your name?’ But I will have to say to them, ‘Go away from me, you lawless rebels! I’ve never been joined to you!’
In this passage, Jesus emphasizes that true discipleship is not merely a matter of verbally acknowledging Him as Lord, but it also requires obedience and doing the will of God. Jesus warns that many people will claim to have prophesied, cast out demons, and performed miracles in His name, yet He will reject them because they have not truly followed God’s will or had a genuine relationship with Him.
This passage highlights the importance of genuine faith accompanied by actions that align with God’s will. Mere religious activities or external displays of spirituality are insufficient if they are not grounded in a true relationship with God and a life characterized by obedience to His teachings. The passage serves as a reminder to evaluate the authenticity of one’s faith and to ensure that it is demonstrated through righteous deeds and a heartfelt commitment to God’s will.
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Here’s a synopsis of this passage
Matthew 7:13-29 Warning!
With Jesus or Against Him? Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount by giving the disciples, the crowd, and the religious leaders four basic warnings:
they must choose between
two gates and roads (vv. 13-14),
two kinds of prophets (vv. 15-20),
two kinds of disciples (vv. 21-23),
two foundations (vv. 24-27).
Matthew 7:13-14 narrow gate. The way to eternal life is “narrow” in that it is through Jesus alone (cf. note on Acts 4:12). Though the way is hard, those who choose the way that is easy (by seeking the approval of man rather than God) will find that the easy way only leads to destruction—ultimately to eternal punishment and separation from God.
Matthew 7:15-20
Beware of false prophets. Maintaining the earlier balance of not judging (vv. 1-5) yet not being naively accepting (v. 6), Jesus teaches his disciples that they must be wisely discerning when professed prophets come into their midst.
The life of the prophet and the results of his influence on others are the fruits that will indicate whether or not his message is consistent with the kingdom life of righteousness. fire. The only thing bad trees are good for is firewood, a striking metaphor of the future judgment for false prophets.
Matthew 7:21-23 The kingdom community must guard against not only false prophets (vv. 15-20) but also false disciples. Lord, Lord. An oral confession of Jesus as Lord does not always indicate a repentant heart.
Matthew 7:22 False disciples may exercise power in Jesus’ name but their activities are meaningless because they deceive themselves and other believers, desiring attention for their own spectacular displays. Mighty works are not proof of the Father’s will since they can come from sources other than God, including demons and human contrivance (cf. Acts 19:13-16; 2 Thess. 2:9-12; Rev. 13:13-14).
Matthew 7:23 then will I declare to them. Jesus says that he will one day exercise the prerogative of condemning people to hell, something that only God can do (cf. note on John 5:22). Though these condemned prophets appeared to belong to Jesus, they were never truly saved, for Jesus never knew them (cf. note on Matt. 7:21-23). (ESV Study Bible)
I Never Knew You (Matthew 7:21-23)
Matthew 7:21 The Lord Jesus next warns against people who falsely profess to acknowledge Him as Savior, but have never been converted. Not everyone who calls Jesus, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter the kingdom of heaven. Only those who do the will of God enter the kingdom. The first step in doing the will of God is to believe on the Lord Jesus (John 6:29).
Matthew 7:22-23
“On judgment day when unbelievers stand before Christ (Rev. 20:11-15), many will remind Him that they prophesied, or cast out demons, or performed many wonders—all in His name. But their protestation will be in vain. Jesus will declare to them that He never knew them or acknowledged them as His own.”
“From these verses, we learn that not all miracles are of divine origin and that not all miracle workers are divinely accredited. A miracle simply means that a supernatural power is at work. That power may be divine or satanic. Satan may empower his workers to cast out demons temporarily in order to create the illusion that the miracle is divine” (William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary).
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“But the judgment illustrated here probably refers to the final judgment before God. The Lord was illustrating one main point: profession will ultimately be tested before God. Those who have trusted Christ and have proved their faith by their obedience will have nothing to fear. Their house is founded on the Rock, and it will stand. But those who have professed to trust Christ, yet who have not obeyed God’s will, will be condemned.
How shall we test our profession of faith?
By popularity? No, for there are many on the broad road to destruction.
And there are many who are depending on words, saying “Lord, Lord” – but this is no assurance of salvation. Even religious activities in a church organization are no assurance. How then shall we judge ourselves and others who profess Christ as Saviour?
The two ways tell us to examine the cost of our profession. Have we paid a price to profess faith in Christ? The two trees tell us to investigate whether our lives have really changed. Are there godly fruits in our lives? And the two houses remind us that true faith in Christ will last, not only in the storms of life but also in the final judgment.” (Wiersbe).
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Thank You, Dr.H. I have a excellent understanding of this powerful message now.
In fact, through you, my love of Jesus Christs continues to confidently grow. God Bless you my friend.
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