Do You Really Know Jesus? Does He Know You?

Meditate. Think on these words.

Not everyone who calls out to me, 'Lord! Lord!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, 'Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.' But I will reply, 'I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God's laws.' Matthew 7:21-23

Do the will of my Father in heaven. What is His will?  Jesus said repeatedly that He came to do the will of His Father. From the verses that follow we can easily see that God wants everyone to have eternal life…not to perish in hell. Jesus came to save the lost…to do God’s will. 

Then Jesus explained: "My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work." John 4:34

For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. For it is my Father's will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day." John 6:38-40

In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father's will that even one of these little ones should perish.  Matthew 18:14

Are you lost or perishing? Do you know someone who is? Praying for them is important…but so is sharing the Good News that Jesus is the Messiah—that He came to save the lost—to rescue the perishing—and He will be coming back again to take His church—those who believe in Him as their Savior—off this earth. That will be a great rescue. No one who believes will be influenced, tempted, or overwhelmed by evil again. Hallelujah!

 What about those who thought they were doing God’s will by casting out demons, prophesying and performing miracles in Jesus’ name? Jesus says in this focus scripture today that there will be some He never knew, who broke God’s laws. Jesus expects us to obey and follow His commandments. Those who He sends away may have been doing what they thought was right…but not following Jesus’ teachings. (See Luke 6:46 and Luke 13:22-27.) Be careful that you do not fall into that category. Judgment Day will not be a good day for those who have known about Jesus, but not had a real relationship with Him and followed His teachings.

Hay Stack Rock
Seaside Beach Oregon

The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. For he laid the earth's foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths. Who may climb the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies. They will receive the LORD's blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior. Psalm 24:1-5

Relationship. That is the key to belonging and being accepted by Christ. Just knowing who He is is not enough. To be known by Him you must be a true follower.

 Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, You said to Your disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.”  From Matthew 16:24. I personally turn from my selfish ways—to be obedient to You.

 Verses of Salvation ~ And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7

© 2020 Text, photos and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved.

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