John 14:27
English Standard Version (ESV)
27 B)’>my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. D)’>let them be afraid.
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it (Matt. 7:13–14).
Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one 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 drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?” Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” Matthew 7:21 – 23
It’s pretty scary to think that someone could go through life believing themselves to be a follower and finding out in the end they were just a fan. The bible teaches assurance of salvation, so how can we know that we are followers and not fans. We can know peace and assurance, but how?
It’s clear that its not just a question of what we say. Words without acts are meaningless. Jesus said only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. We need to make sure that our lives reflect what we believe. Can we be identified as a follower without us saying a word?
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? (James 2:14–16). Lots of folks feel for the hungry children, for the lonely widows, for the desperate prisoner, but they do nothing.
A belief, no matter how sincere, if not reflected in reality isn’t a belief; it’s a delusion.
Idleman, Kyle (2011-05-24). Not a Fan: Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesus (p. 106). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
It does not good to say that Jesus is the way, if we don’t act like it. But it’s just as important that we realize that we can’t know that we are on the right road just because of what we’ve done. “We prophesied, we drove out demons, we performed miracles.” This didn’t matter because Jesus said, “I never knew you.”
The key is not what we say and although our deeds must match our words, it’s ultimately not what we do. It’s whether we know Jesus and He knows us.
Young couples are cute. Hanging on each other’s words, smiling touching, acting silly. But I am really blessed to be in the presence of a couple whose love is long standing. They don’t have to say anything. They are completely comfortable in each other’s presence. One knows what the other is thinking without a word being spoken. The excitement of the new Christian is great; but its the quiet confidence of the one who has walked long enough to know where he stands that really matters.
No Jesus. No Peace. Know Jesus. Know Peace.
Be blessed.
Nick
Be the first to reply