Does He Know You?

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' " (1)

There are those who think they know God, but who "practice lawlessness" and claim a close and intimate relationship with Him, such as "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name and done many wonders in Your name?" And yet Jesus says of them, "I never knew you."

To think that we know of Him and ignore Him is deadly. How can we know that He knows us? "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." (2)

If we think that we know Him and we ignore what He tells us, we are fooling ourselves. "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." (3)

How may we be confident that we know Him and more importantly, that He knows us? "You are My friends" He says, "If you do whatever I command you." (4)

That almost sounds scary, "If you do whatever I command you." What does Jesus mean by this statement. He gives us an insight into the importance of this when He said to His disciples, "I shall not talk much longer with you, for the Prince of this world approaches. He has no rights over me; but the world must be shown that I love the Father, and do exactly as He commands." (5)

Christ's Mother also gives us an insight into the meaning of this when she said to the servants at a wedding, "Whatever He says to you, do it." (6) When they followed her advice, a miracle was performed.

Whatever Christ and God have said to us, or "commanded" us to do in scripture, is for our benefit and blessing, not just to boss us around. "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." (7) Eternal realities are at stake here.

Does He know you?

1. Matthew 7:21-23.
2. John 10:27.
3. Proverbs 14:12.
4. John 15:14.
5. John 14:30, 31. (NEB)
6. John 2:5.
7. John 17:3.