Are you a follower of Jesus? Is there a possibility you have some doubt? Maybe your line of thinking is, you hope you're good enough or you're one of the ones that will be counted worthy "when the saints go marching in." With a simple self-exam, using scripture as the measure, you can know for sure if you are truly one of His. I want you to stop and think this blog through as you read. According to what scriptures teach, each believer/follower of Jesus is instructed to regularly examine and evaluate their heart (motives and actions). That's what we're going to do. There is a verse in Matthew 7:21, that should actually spark genuine alarm. Sadly, too many people pass over that verse not realizing WHO Jesus was speaking to. Jesus wasn't addressing or taking about atheists when He said the following verse, Not everyone will enter the Kingdom of heaven. A lot of people read that verse and immediately assume it doesn't not apply to them because they are devoted church-goers, wear the typical silver or gold cross around their neck as an endorsement of their "Christian" faith. They read the Bible occasionally, and are basically law abiding people. But listen carefully , Jesus wasn't talking to atheists, agnostics, or unbelievers! Did you hear His words clearly? Jesus was talking to people who thought they knew Him, were a part of Him, of the Church, of Christianity. How can we know that? Let's look closer ..
Realize an atheist, agnostic, or unbeliever would never address Jesus or call Jesus LORD! Jesus said, "Not everyone who says Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of heaven." So, that's a clear indication to whom Jesus was speaking. Jesus was specifically warning people who wanted the appearance of Christianity WITHOUT ACTUALLY SURRENDERING THEIR LIVES. Verse 21 thru 23 says, "on that day, many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your Name and cast out demons in Your Name, and did many mighty works In Your Name?'' And then Jesus responds, "I never knew you." That's terrifying! Why? Because these were not people who never heard about God. These were people involved around spiritual things, labeling themselves believers, but their hearts were far from Him. You will never hear an atheist, agnostic, or unbeliever claim they cast out demons, prophesied, or did mighty works in the Name of Jesus; ever! They don't believe in Jesus. NO NO. So who then was He addressing and confessing that He didn't know? The same had cast out demons in His Name, right? They gave prophesies, right? They confessed they had done great things in His Name, right? Then how could Jesus say, "I NEVER knew you." Not once knew you .. NEVER KNEW YOU. Because Jesus was addressing people who claimed the Christian faith but whose heart was never fully submitted to Him. There are those even today who attend church faithfully without missing a Sunday. They know the lyrics to Christian based gospel songs, they worship with their hands in the air, know Christian phrases, Christian culture, bible quotes, some have lived their entire lives doing these things and still never truly submit totally to Christ and they never turn to fully denounce sinful living. That's the warning! That's terrifying!
So who then? Who is a true believer and what does that look like? The verse in Matthew is not about a believer struggling, growing slowly, or fighting sin honestly. Because they do. They stay the course, and if they slip off the track, they feel shame, they repent, they ask forgiveness from a contrite spirit and quickly get back on board. The verse in Matt. is targeting those performing Christianity outwardly without genuine repentance, obedience, turning from sin to a close, personal, relationship with Jesus inwardly! Some people want Jesus for comfort, joy, protection, blessing, and benefits-- BUT NOT AS LORD over their thoughts, actions, or lives, especially not at the expense of total surrender. Jesus announcing, "I never knew you" would be the difference between comparing an acquaintance and your best friend. You "may know of" someone, you may like the idea or status of having a rich acquaintance, but you would never reveal your soul, tell all your secrets, depend on, trust or love them the same as your best friend. Jesus did not know the people who did not become one with Him, totally committed, totally surrendered, all-in. If a knock came at your front door who would you let in your house? A stranger or your best friend? Why this verse hits so hard is because it forces you to ask, "Do I actually know Jesus? Or do I know Christian culture?" This verse isn't to incite fear, it's for self examination. God has never changed. His Word has not changed. Do you know Him? Does He know you?
Until He Comes,
-Pat-
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