TWFW: Know, or Are Known?

Wed, Jun 17, 2009

Word For Wednesday

“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? …You believe in faith that there is one true God, and in this you do well.

But even the demons believe in one true God- and they tremble, because their judgment is coming! But don’t you realize, O foolish man, that belief, or faith, without works is dead?” James 2:14, 19 paraphrased.

I know lots of people who say they believe, who say that they “know” Christ saved them from their sins. “Knowing” (or having “faith”) in Him and what He did is easy. Even the little devils believe. But the devils are not going to be with Him in the end. Why? Because Christ does not “know” them. He has no intimate acquaintance with them because the devils have no intention of being changed in their hearts, of being dedicated to God and God’s will.

So the real issue is not whether you know Christ, but does He know you?

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’

And then I will say to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’” Matthew 7:21-23.

In searching for this scripture reference in my Bible (I couldn’t remember where this was at first), I searched online with some keywords. Included on the search page of results was a short video of Paul Washer speaking on this topic. I decided to include it here.

So, does Christ know you?

For more of The Word For Wednesday posts and participants, see Yeah, Right!

Related posts:

  1. TWFW: There’s Nothing Wrong With Denominations
  2. TWFW: A Powerful Life
  3. TWFW: Fighting the Law of Entropy
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2 Responses to “TWFW: Know, or Are Known?”

  1. Lisa Says:
    June 17th, 2009 at 2:00 pm

    I remember my parents’ pastor quoting Matthew 7:21-23 often. He says that sometimes he fears that he will be told to depart.

    And you are right, even the Devils know there is a Jesus. Even Muslims believe that Jesus existed.

  2. akaGaGa Says:
    June 17th, 2009 at 11:14 pm

    I’ve heard this passage used to condemn pentecostal/charismatic believers, the assumption being that it only applies to some believers. But the version in Luke 13:24-30 applies the same concept to other activities:

    “Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets’; and He will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from; DEPART FROM ME, ALL YOU EVILDOERS.’ (Luke 13:26-27)

    Seems taking communion and going to Bible studies doesn’t save us, either.

    Thanks for this and for the video. Paul Washer always seems to nail us to the wall.