It's a personal friendship
In these verses, God is referring to knowing someone as a personal friend. We get to know Him as a friend when we talk with Him daily, read His words, follow Him gladly, and freely share with Him our joys and sorrows as with an earthly friend. Jesus also says, “You are my friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14). If we truly love Jesus, we will keep His commandments.
The people being addressed in Matthew 7:22 have rejected His Holy Spirit. They have embraced a theology of salvation in sin or salvation by works—neither of which needs Jesus. They are self-made people who did not take time to become acquainted with Jesus, even though they appeared to be doing His work.
Jesus doesn’t argue the fact that they performed many works in His name, maybe even miracles. It is possible to do good works and still lose out on salvation in the end. In this Scripture, He explains that He did not really get acquainted with them or know them as personal friends. These people were never converted and never placed their trust in His grace to save them.
Also, if we don’t know Jesus as a personal friend, if we are not working out of love for Him, our motives will be skewed. We could be doing works out of pride or envy, or possibly working from a belief or hope that we can earn our own salvation. Either pathway is wrong.
God wants us to have a special relationship of friendship, trust, and love. Then good works will flow naturally out of our intense love for our Redeemer and our desire to please Him.
KEY BIBLE TEXTS
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:22-23

MUST A PERSON FIRST OVERCOME EVERY BAD HABIT BEFORE BEING BAPTIZED?
Bible Study / Daily Devotional
Daily Devotions
Average reading time is about 5 and a half minutes

I believe that certain tangible life changes should be evident before baptism. This is why John the Baptist stated, “Bear fruits worthy of repentance” (Matthew 3:8). Since baptism reflects new birth, new life, and liberation from a life of sin, being baptized while still enslaved to sinful habits, such as drinking, would be a paradox.

Baptism is similar to marriage. For a man to marry a woman while still dating another would be a lie. Similarly, a person shouldn’t enter into a union with Christ through baptism while willingly still “dating the devil” in certain areas of life.

When people are baptized, they are publicly renouncing their old life of sin. Remember that baptism symbolizes death to the old way of life. When a person comes up out of the water, it is a symbol of resurrection and new life in Christ. The Bible says, “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).

I am not suggesting that an individual needs to know everything or should be perfect before baptism. There isn’t anyone who meets those criteria. However, no one should enter into this special relationship unrepentant. To repent means to turn away from doing wrong and determine to do what is right with God’s help. The Word of God puts it this way: “Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin” (Romans 6:6). Evidence of Christ’s victory will be apparent in a life that is consecrated to the Lord.

Of course, baptism does not bring perfection, and new believers will certainly feel a need for repentance after baptism. Thankfully, we have the promise that “if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1). As we go to Him daily, asking for forgiveness and the power to do His will, we will grow to be more like our Savior.
KEY BIBLE TEXTS
Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: Matthew 3:8