Salvation Is About Who You Know (Lesson #56 Summer School with Jesus)

Today’s Reading: Matthew 7:22- 23  (HCSB)
On that day many will say to Me, “Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in Your name, and do many miracles in Your name?” Then I will announce to them, “I never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!”

Today’s Question: How deeply do you know Christ?

Today’s Commentary:

The concept of most stands in contrast to the “many” Jesus speaks of in the Sermon on the Mount. I find it interesting that pastors believe that most of the people in their congregations are genuine Christians. In a 2007 Gallup poll, 81% of American responders stated a belief in a literal Heaven. Sixty-nine percent said they were going. Most believe that their eternal destiny is with God. Jesus, however, has a different perspective. He said “few” will find eternal life and “many” will face eternity separated from God.

“Many” will be surprised at the Judgment, the moment after one passes from this life to the next. These people will boast of their personal achievements, especially those done in the name of God. An “evangelist” will want to talk about the number of coliseums and auditoriums he filled with his preaching. A humanitarian aid worker will discuss the merits of bringing life-saving medicine to millions of children in Africa. A “pastor” will tell of his faithful tenure at the same church for over 40 years. Imagine the horror that these will experience when Jesus calls them “evildoers.”

Evildoers are typically the category for which we place mass murderers, serial rapists, ruthless dictators, and telemarketers who call during the evening meal. Surely, these lawbreakers will be punished eternally for their evil deeds. But rarely do we consider those who do “good” as “evildoers.”

What is Jesus’ definition of one who does evil? He gives a clue in His pronouncement of judgment: “I never knew you.” Knowing Christ is much more than knowing about Him. This concept includes a personal relationship with Christ.

The words of an engraving from the cathedral of Lubeck, Germany, echo Jesus’ sobering declaration…
Thus speaketh Christ our Lord to us…
You call Me master and obey Me not,
You call Me light and see Me not,
You call Me the way and walk Me not,
You call Me life and live Me not,
You call Me wise and follow Me not,
You call Me fair and love Me not,
You call Me rich and ask Me not,
You call Me eternal and seek Me not,
If I condemn thee, blame Me not.

“Follow One, Lead Others” Principle #56: Followers of Jesus have an intimate and personal relationship with their Lord and Savior.

Today’s Prayer Point: Pray for those who claim to be Christians yet their hearts are far from Him.