Intimate Meaning In, “I Do Not Know You.”

Edited: March 3rd, 2021

In the Bible, when men “knew” their wives it referred to sexual intimacy. Now, I’m not going to be talking about the intimacy of flesh, but the intimacy of the spirit.

Whatever intimacy we can find in each other, including our spouse, is only the surface in comparison when it comes to Christ. Bear in mind, as well, our flesh is weak.

(NIV) Mark 14:38, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

This world idolizes the flesh through vanity, sexual immorality, and lust to name a few. So many think and want to believe having an “active” life is what makes us who we are. It gives us a sense of excitement, life, and fulfillment (even in the marriage). I’m not downgrading the importance of being intimate in marriage, but I do want to focus on the fact we can only go so far with each other. There are limits. We are mortals.

The flesh is weak, our form of intimacy with other humans is still VERY LOW even with the misconception the world wants to proclaim otherwise.

So, if you’re wondering where I’m going with this, don’t worry, I won’t delay any longer.

The scripture I am referring to is Matthew 7:22-23.

(NIV) Matthew 7:22, “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name and in Your name drive out demons and in Your name perform many miracles?’

(23) Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew You. Away from Me, you evildoers!'”

Jesus was discussing believers doing things in the name of God, but that these acts didn’t matter. He still didn’t know them.

Does this form of “knowing” us mean the same? Not exactly. I don’t think it means intimacy of the flesh.

However, it’s important to note to know someone does indicate a form of intimacy. And if you aren’t sure of agreeing with me, which is completely okay, let me draw us to the fact of what TRUE BELIEVERS ARE CALLED.

True believers, the ones who will receive the kingdom of God, who have a genuine relationship with Him are referred to as the Bride of Christ.

(NIV) John 3:29, “The bride belongs to the bridegroom.”

(NIV) Isaiah 62:05, “As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.”

(NIV) Ephesians 5:23, “For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior.”

Now, let’s really look at the last scripture posted, “of the Church, His body.” The Bride of Christ is the body of believers, which is why there is only one true Church.

(NIV) Ephesians 5:30, “for we are members of His body. 

Remember, Jesus is the True Vine and we are His branches.

(NIV) John 15:01,”I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” 

(ES) 1 Corinthians 3:09, “For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.”

In intimacy of the flesh, two become one of the flesh. But when it comes to us and Christ, we become one with His Spirit. We’re meant to be part of His body because we have His Spirit living in us. We partake spiritually of His body and blood, Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. His atonement cleanses us from sin. We are sinners, and on our own we can do nothing to cleanse ourselves. Christ took the punishment of God, the wrath of God, on the cross for us. He died in our place. He resurrected. His resurrection for those who put their faith in Him is our justification. The righteousness of Christ is imputed to us. Faith is given to us by Christ and He convicts us of sin. He helps us repent from sin.

(NIV) Ephesians 5:31-32″ “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery–but I am talking about Christ and the church.”

Which leads us back to Jesus responding, “I never knew you.”

What kind of intimacy are we having with Christ?

To be Christlike means not only to do things, “in His name,” but to follow His exact footsteps. To embody the Holy Spirit, and see fruit. We are told what the fruit of the Spirit is – love, joy, peace, gentleness, patience, faithfulness, kindness, goodness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:21-22)

This isn’t even talking about works or is it?

(NIV) John 15:02, “He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

The fruit of the Spirit is the works of the Spirit in us, and that’s pretty powerful. What is not part of Christ, God will cast out. Receiving salvation invites the Holy Spirit within us.

Christ needs to see us beyond the physical flesh. We need to be sanctified in Him. We need to pour everything we have over to Him. Think of the weakest moment you’ve ever shown another person. It’s possible we still had some guard up, thoughts we didn’t say or feelings we didn’t hand over to the person.

Guess what, Christ wants IT ALL! He wants all parts of us so that we can be part of Him. Nothing hidden. All laid out before Him. It isn’t that He doesn’t already know. It’s the fact He wants us that much!

In the sense the two become one in the flesh in marriage, we need to become one with Christ in a spiritual sense and all who truly put their faith in Him, repent, and confess will be able to do this because of Jesus. When we receive Jesus, Christ will reflect Himself within us, giving us the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who convicts of sin, righteousness, and the judgment to come. He will be shown in every aspect of us in the body, in mind, and in spirit.

He’s that important, and He’s that awesome.

Why would we not want Him to know us in the spirit, and in all parts of ourselves?

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