Matthew 7:20-23 Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but 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 cast our demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'
Our God created us to have and enjoy relationships. Ultimately, He desires us to enter in to His company, the privilege which He purchased for us. This relationship is what separates Christianity from all other religions. Not the superficial Christianity of believing in God-for even the demons believe in Him and tremble, but the Christianity that demands a relationship with the Everlasting God. This Christianity is the repentant, lifestyle of faith that will allow us to stand before God's throne and have Jesus confess to His Father that we are His. This relationship is an open invitation to all who would believe and receive Christ. Yet it is exclusive in that only those who do enter in by the narrow way-through the Way, the Truth and the Life-Jesus Christ, may have a relationship with God the Father through Jesus the Son. We are no longer on the outside, but part of God's family
I share the following explanation of relationship's importance:
There are several bands that I have enjoyed over the years. I've love the music of Earth, Wind and Fire, Peter Frampton, the Beatles, Poco to name a few. And then when I became a Christian, I was blessed by the music of Keith Green, Sweet Comfort Band, 2nd Chapter of Acts, and later in my walk wiht Christ, the music of Steven Curtis Chapman, Newsong, Mercy Me, Casting Crowns, and Big Daddy Weave, to name a few.
Though I love music and enjoyed listening to it...loudly. I never became a fan member of any band or musician. And now becoming a fan is as easy as liking something on FaceBook and with a click of a button, you can become a fan of different organizations or artists or musicians.
Many people enjoy being a fan and being a part of something. Some people even aspire to be the "best fan" club member. This is the person may be one who organizes events for this fan club. The best fan might also have every marketing gimmick related to the fan club. This best fan will be able to tell you all about the fan club, as well as every fact, every detail of the person the club is organized for.
The best fan might even get back stage passes after an event. BUT...will the "best fan" be known? Will he be recognized? If this best fan just showed up backstage with no introduction, would he be recognized? Would the person be pleased to see this best fan and want to spend time with him? Would this best fan be invited to holiday family gatherings or special family events? Would this best fan enjoy vacations with his idol? No...none of this would happen.
Why? Because there is no relationship? At the end of the day, the musician or whoever is idolized, will go on with life and not think on the best fan because the musician has no relationship with him. The best fan isn't known.
Yet, in contrast, the family members may go backstage after the event and they are greeted with great joy and pleasure for they know one another. They belong together and being family members, they recognize one another.
The Scripture in Matthew 7:20-23, describes the difference between a fan of Jesus and a follower of Jesus. We may be very excited about things spiritual and do many Bible studies and many "good works" in the name of Christ, BUT if we do not belong to Him, He will not "know" us. We must accept His invitation to become joint-heir with Him. This is done only through His work on the cross. We can contribute NOTHING to this finished work. I Peter 3:18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the Just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh but made alive in the Spirit.
The good works in Christ Jesus come later...we just need to believe and receive His work.
God's invitation is accessible and welcoming to all yet it is exclusive to those who receive it through the One Way, Jesus Christ.
John 6:35, 37, 40 Jesus said- "I am the bread of life, he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst...All that the Father gives to Me shall come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out...For this is the will of My Fathers, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life and I Myself will raise him up on that last day."
John 14:16-17, 21 Jesus said- And I will ask the Father and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom th world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you....He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me; and he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father , and I will love him, and will disclose Myself to him."
May none who might read this find themselves as a Fan of Jesus Christ but a family member of the One True, Triune God. Jesus words describe what will happen to fan members...on the last day-the most important day-the fans of Jesus Christ won't be known.
John 10:27-30 The Words of Jesus- "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are One."
