Do You Know Him?

Peyton Johnston

July 30th, 2018

Matthew 7:21-23; John 1:1

The disciples met with Jesus on the mountainside, as they often did. He spoke to them about many things, but in this instance Jesus specifically talked about judgement day – the final day of reckoning when God will settle all accounts by judging sin and rewarding faith. When discussing who would be rejected from spending eternity in Heaven, His audience probably anticipated a list of evil-doers. But Jesus shocked them when He said that on that day He will turn away believers who say they did many mighty works in His name… How can that be?

Because He never knew them.

The verb “know” is defined as followed:

• To be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information.
• To be absolutely certain or sure about something.
• To have developed a relationship with (someone/something) through meeting andspending time with them; to be familiar or friendly with.So in reference to the scriptures: If God will deny access to His kingdom if He doesn’t know us… And if God is the Word… Wouldn’t that mean we must know the Word in order to enter Heaven? Not just an understanding of facts. Not just a memorization of what others tell us it says. But are we thoroughly familiar with it and comfortable sharing it? Do we have an absolute certainty about who He is and what He has said? Have we spent time developing an intimate relationship with Him through the knowledge of His Word?

  God is more concerned about your private walk with Him than your public religious talk.
  Just because you may speak about the things of God and give your time to the church, that doesn’t necessarily mean you have a place in His kingdom. There are many who will do a work for Him without ever really knowing the One they’re doing it for. They will serve out of obligation or expectation instead of out of love and reverence – don’t be one of those people. Don’t get so busy going through the motions to portray a Christ-like life to others that you neglect to develop an actual, personal relationship with Christ. Because if you don’t know the Word, you don’t know God. And you won’t like what you hear on judgement day.

  Do you know Him?

  Pray: ​“Lord, I want to know You. TRULY know You. I won’t be satisfied with anything less than a deep, lasting relationship with You. Help me to fully understand and retain Your Word so that I can genuinely know You, reflect Your character, and spend eternity with You.”