What does it mean when Jesus says 'I never knew you'?

When Jesus declares 'I never knew you' in Matthew 7:23, He speaks to the essence of true salvation, which is rooted in a personal and intimate relationship with Him. This statement indicates that those He addresses engaged in religious activities but lacked a genuine trust and dependence on Him as their Savior. It highlights that salvation is not contingent upon outward actions, such as preaching or performing miracles, but rather on a heart transformed by God's grace. Knowing Christ in a saving relationship means trusting Him for salvation and loving Him, which is fundamentally different from mere ritualistic practices.