Does Christ Know You?
In the book of Matthew, Jesus talks about people who think they know Christ, but on the last day, they find out Jesus doesn’t actually know them.
“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
To me, this is one of the most fearful passages in all the Bible, one that I need to meditate on more. To go through my whole life thinking I’m serving God, and then on Judgment Day hear Jesus say “I never knew you” is the greatest nightmare I can imagine! That is a risk I can’t afford to take! But I know that if I seek Him with all my heart, I will find Him, and I will make sure He knows me too.
Let’s see how it is written in the other gospel. (Perhaps it’s not the exact passage, but it’s similar and definitely worth noting.)
“Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.”-Luke 13:23-27
Don’t forget the parable of the ten virgins.
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Matthew 25:1-13
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Balance
If I’m learning one thing in my Christian walk right now, it is finding balance. “Fear God and keep his commandments,” and “God is love.” God is greatly to be feared, but He is also long-suffering. God has not given us a spirit of fear but of love, for perfect love casts out fear.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
I John 4:18
How do you know God and make sure He knows you? How do you believe you can develop your relationship with Jesus? As for me, I will continue to seek Him through prayer and increase my knowledge of Him through study of the Scriptures and learning to listen to His voice. For as His word teaches, “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found.” And “ ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD….”
-Jeremiah 29:13-14
This Scripture has given me great comfort and assurance in Christ:
“For we are saved by hope: But hope that is seen, is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?”-Romans 8:24
…and…
“The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.”-Psalm 147:11
Notice the balance of the fear of God and the hope in His mercy. I didn’t even notice that until just now writing it on the page. That is not why I chose that Scripture, but now I see that balance. That makes me love that Scripture even more!
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Jeremiah 31:33-34
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
What can I take away from this passage?
- Do the will of the Father.
- Have we not done? Notice they say, “We did it.” (emphasis on we.) Remember, Jesus said, “I can of my own self do nothing…”-John 5:30
- Jesus declares, “I never knew you.” Think about it. They said they knew Him, but He said He never knew them. Is there more than one meaning of the word know? Are there multiple levels of knowing?
- They worked iniquity. That word “iniquity” is translated as “lawlessness” in the Greek. How were they working lawlessness when they claimed they were doing the works of God? They claimed to have prophesied, cast out devils, and done many wonderful works in His name.
- How can I respond to this passage in my own life? How can I make sure Jesus never says, “I never knew you”?
This was meant to be a thought-provoking, heart-searching article. I hope you will seek out these answers and get to know Jesus Christ intimately.
Hope in His mercy. And get to know Him intimately.
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