Results Don’t Equal Relationship

Title: Results Don’t Equal Relationship: The Call to Genuine Faith

Introduction
In Matthew 7:23, Jesus speaks of a sobering reality: “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (KJV)
This verse comes at the end of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus asks, “Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I tell you?” (Matthew 7:21)
The danger is real: impressive outward results or religious activity can exist without a living, personal relationship with God.
Today we’ll explore how to distinguish merely impressive results from a true, intimate connection with Christ, using Matthew 7:23 and supporting scriptures.

I. The Warning: Not Everyone Who Prophesies or Works Do Good Will Truly Know Him
Matthew 7:21-23 (focus on 23)
  “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom … but the one who does the will of my Father.”
  Jesus rejects the appearance of faith grounded in works alone if it lacks relationship.
Key point: Activity without intimacy can lead to a false confidence.
Supporting cross-reference:
  Luke 6:46: “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”—Similarly exposes the gap between profession and obedience.
  James 2:14-17: Faith without works is dead. But faith that saves is a living faith that flows from relationship.

II. The Distinction: Results vs. Relationship
Definitions:
  Results: outward fruit, success, visible ministry, or achievements measured by others.
  Relationship: a living, personal connection with Jesus—knowing Him, being known by Him, abiding in Him.
Biblical pattern:
  The Pharisees had lots of rules and outward righteousness but missed the heart of relationship with God (Matthew 23). They produced religious results, yet their relationship was strained or absent.
  The Apostle Paul’s emphasis on knowing Christ personally: Philippians 3:10: “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.”
Application question:
  Are your spiritual activities flowing from intimate knowledge of Jesus, or are they a substitute for it?

III. How to Assess Your Relationship with Christ
Abiding in Christ (John 15:4-5)
  “Abide in me, and I in you. … apart from me you can do nothing.” Relationship is the source of fruitful results.
Love as the Evidence (John 13:34-35)
  Jesus commands us to love one another. The mark of discipleship is love that comes from a connected, living relationship with Christ.
Obedience from the Heart (1 Samuel 16:7)
  God sees the heart motive. We can perform externally while our heart leans toward self-interest; true relationship changes the motive.
Regular Humble Repentance (1 John 1:9)
  If we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive. Ongoing reconciliation with God maintains and deepens relationship.

IV. How to Move from Mere Results to Genuine Relationship
Priority: Seek a Person, not just a performance
  Practice: Daily quiet time to hear from God; prayer that is honest and relational rather than ritualistic.
Presence over Presentation
  Practice: When you gather for worship or service, focus on encountering Jesus, not merely producing outcomes.
Examination of Motives
  Practice: Ask, “Why am I doing this? Is it to be seen, or to honor Christ? Am I seeking His will or my own comfort?”
Dependence on the Lord
  Practice: Begin tasks with surrender, asking for strength and guidance, not relying on own cleverness or past success.
Community Accountability
  Practice: Invite trusted believers to speak into your life; their observations can reveal gaps between results and relationship.

V. Corroborating Scriptures: Faith That Respects Relationship
Matthew 7:21-23 (primary)
  Emphasizes that not everyone who does works gets in; relationship matters more than outward performance.
Luke 6:46
  “Why do you call me, Lord, Lord, and not do what I tell you?”
James 2:14-26
  Faith without works is dead, but faith that works through love proves real faith.
John 15:4-8
  Abide in me, and you will bear much fruit; without me you can do nothing.
Galatians 5:22-25
  Fruit of the Spirit grows in relationship with Christ; the Spirit’s fruit evidences relationship, not mere achievement.
Romans 12:1-2
  Offer your bodies as living sacrifices; be transformed by renewal of the mind—relationship changes behavior and priorities.
1 John 4:12, 16-17
  If we love one another, God abides in us; our love is made complete in Him.

VI. Practical sermon application for the listener
If you’re hearing “Well done, good and faithful servant” in your mind because of results: pause.
Do you know Jesus personally? Have you trusted Him as Savior and surrendered to Him as Lord?
Reflect on your daily walk: are you abiding in Him, listening to His voice, and obeying out of love?
Extend grace to others: many who serve diligently may still need to deepen relationship; invite them into a deeper walk with Christ.

Conclusion
The danger of conflating results with relationship is real. Jesus’ warning in Matthew 7:23 calls us to evaluate our source: is our life anchored in a living relationship with Him, or do we rely on outward success to define us?
The gospel invites us to exchange counterfeit assurance for the security of knowing Him: to know the One who knows us, and to be known by Him.
Invitation: Come to Christ afresh today. Abide in Him, confess where necessary, and pursue a living relationship that produces fruit that only He can bear through you.

Prayer
Lord, search my heart. If I have trusted in my own results rather than in You, forgive me. Draw me into deeper intimacy with You. Let my life reflect a true relationship with Christ, so that my actions flow from love and obedience, for Your glory. Amen.