Do I Know You?

Growing up in church, I have known a lot about God and have done a lot of things for Him too. I was almost sure that, when I met Him face to face, He will pat me on the back and say "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." and let me into the Kingdom. That was all changed when I read this passage:

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. " - Matthew 7:21-23

I was sore afraid to understand what the above passage means. Knowing about God is not the same thing as knowing God. The sad part of the passage is that some people (mostly Christians) think they know God, but, in reality, they only know about God. I thought I knew God, but all I knew was things about God. For example, since I joined GENESIS about 10 months ago, I have heard a lot about this guy named Dane Bledsoe. Dane is a friend of Scott Cook, one of the first people I met. As I spend my time more with the group, I learned more and more about Dane. I learned that Dane is a little bit older than I, Dane goes to Crown College in Knoxville, TN, Dane is a loud and extremely hilarious individual, Dane used to be a bad kid, and that Dane is knowledgeable in automotive. From my own perspective, I know Dane, or should I say... I know about Dane. I did not know Dane Bledsoe personally until I finally met him in Sonia's house and spend some time together in the group. Our friendship did not start until we know each other... personally.

Notice also that these people done great and mighty things in the name of Jesus. Not Buddha, not Allah, but in the name of Jesus. I am an active member of my church. Wether it was the church I grew up in, the church that my mom is a member of, the Campus Church where I spent four years at, or the Temple Baptist Church where I am spending my post-graduation life at, I always try to be involved as much as I should. Before I got saved, I have my assurance in the work that I've done: in what I've done for Christ. If I did these things for Jesus, surely my salvation is secure. Matthew 7:22 proved me wrong. It's not what I've done for Christ that gets me to heaven: It's what Christ done for me that gives me eternal life. If I used to work for my salvation, now I work because of my salvation.

I am so glad that my assurance of salvation is not in what I've done (for Christ) but rather in what Christ done for me. And because of that, I have a personal relationship with Him, the Creator, God, King, Savior, and Friend. I know His voice when He speaks through His Spirit. I know more about His likes and dislikes.

What about you? Do you know God? Do you have a real relationship with God? Can you recognize His voice? Think about this. You don't want to miss out on life, do you?

In His service,
VL