Jesus said I can put my boots in the oven but that don’t make ’em biscuits.

That’s right.

When He told His disciples that He would deny knowing certain people who claim to belong to Him on the day He returns, He was really saying that their good works would not be visible to Him:

“Not everyone who is saying to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter into the kingdom of the heavens. But the one who is doing the will of My Father who is in the heavens [shall enter]. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I shall declare to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from Me—all of you who are practicing lawlessness!’” [Matt. 7:21-23] [my emphasis]

[γινώσκω: (gînōskō) to know, come to know, recognize, understand]

He wasn’t referring to any negligence in seeking to know more about Him, nor was He suggesting that their words would be false. He was simply pointing out that the fruit which they might be claiming to have produced wouldn’t even actually exist—regardless of what they were saying or doing.

In other words, the proof of discipleship is in the produce, not the pudding.

The sentences prior to these verses reveal the perilous fate of a tree that does not produce fruit—something that is recognizable. If it doesn’t produce, it’s of no use to the owner. [see: Matt. 7:15-20] As a disciple of Christ, I’m a tree that must yield good fruit or I’m headed for the burn pile. [see: 1Cor. 3:11-15]

I also think it’s important to understand that my redemption [or the fact that I’m “saved”] does not exclude me from being paid back for my works on the basis of the quality of fruit they produce. [see: 2Cor. 5:10]

[What does it mean to be “saved?” see: Different Fruit…Same Good News]

A common understanding of some who claim to belong to Christ is that, if they are indeed saved, they would instinctively be doing the will of the Father who is in the heavens and therefore be assured of entering into the kingdom of the heavens on the day of His return.

I’d certainly hope so, but Jesus suggested that they need to actually act upon what they claim to believe—that is, if they want to be able to sustain that belief:

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.” [Matt. 7:24] [my emphasis]

If I choose not to act on my faith, my faith has no foundation. I’m practicing lawlessness.

Guess what I’m not gonna’ enter into?