Devotionals
Do You Know Jesus?
April 3, 2018 | Tags: Gospel message, Truth
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Matthew 7:21-23 NIV1984
This is a sobering passage of Scripture spoken by Jesus on the Sermon on the Mount. There are many who believe they are Christians who will not be entering the kingdom of heaven because they never really knew Jesus. It has nothing to do with works, as this passage shows. After all, prophesy, driving out demons, and miracles seem like pretty impressive works, don’t they? However, Jesus is saying these works are not what demonstrate authentic discipleship. True discipleship shows itself through affirming Jesus’ Lordship, submitting to His authority, and obeying His commands. True disciples know Jesus personally. They spend time with Him through prayer and Bible reading, they hear His voice (John 8:47), and they want to follow Him by obeying His commands.
Do you know Jesus? If you are struggling to answer that question today, I invite you to look through our Knowing Christ page. Jesus longs for you to know Him. He died for you to know Him and to hear Him speak to you personally. He longs for you to live out the plans and purposes He’s set for your life, not for you to live out your own plans. There is no better time than today to evaluate the most important question of your life–Do you know Jesus?
Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”
Jeremiah 9:23-25 ESV
By Courtney Silberman
