Know Jesus, Don't Just Know About Him

 Why do we believe what we believe?

It's the question most of us avoid. We inherit beliefs from family, absorb them from our church pews, soak them up from television preachers, and accept what we're taught in Sunday school. But if we aren't serious about examining our beliefs—really testing them against the Word and the Spirit—then we're setting ourselves up for a terrible shock.

Maybe even the kind of shock described in Matthew 7:21-23.

The Sobering Reality of Matthew 7:21-23

"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, KJV)

I ponder on this passage often. These aren't backslidden sinners or lukewarm church-goers. Look at what these people did:

1. They called Jesus "Lord"
2. They prophesied in the Name of Jesus
3. They cast out demons
4. They did mighty works in the Name of Jesus
5. Jesus doesn't know them
6. They work iniquity

Think about that for a moment. These are people who did miracles. They saw demons flee. They spoke prophetic words. They acknowledged Jesus as Lord. And yet, Jesus says, "I never knew you."

What Did They Believe?

I wonder what they believed before this encounter. Do we have the same beliefs as them?

I used to believe lots of stuff. Stuff my family told me. Stuff the church told me. Stuff the television told me. Stuff they taught me in school.

When I saw disparities, I began to ask questions. And I heard "that is just the way it is" way more times than I felt I should. I had experiences that my trusted bearers of truth had no answers for.

I then realized that it was all a bunch of blind people leading the blind.

Then the journey began.

Why Do You Believe in Jesus?

Let me ask you directly: Why do you believe in Jesus?

• Because of your family?
• Because of TBN?
• Because of what your pastor says?
• Or do you have your own personal relationship with Him?

I emphasize having a spiritual relationship with the biblical Jesus. No one can simply hand you a belief system that will pass muster on that day. You must have your own experience. You must KNOW Jesus and have relationship with the SPIRIT OF TRUTH.

The Promise of the Spirit of Truth

Consider this passage from John 14:

"If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." (John 14:15-21, KJV)

Did you catch that? Jesus promises to manifest Himself to those who love Him and keep His commandments.

I am not going to spell it out for you. Seek the Truth for yourself. I can't spit up answers and give you eternal life.

Has Jesus Manifested Himself to You?

But let me ask you this: Has Jesus manifested Himself to you?

Jesus made this promise in John 14:21:

"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." (John 14:21, KJV)

Yes? No? What does that even mean?

In Matthew 7:21-23, there are "many" people who call Jesus Lord, and He tells them to depart. Do we believe what they believe?

The difference between knowing Jesus and knowing about Jesus is the difference between heaven and hell. It's the difference between relationship and religion. It's the difference between walking in the Spirit of Truth and working iniquity while calling on His name.

The Journey of Knowing

Knowing Jesus isn't passive. It's not something you inherit or accept secondhand. It requires:

• Examination: Testing your beliefs against Scripture
• Experience: Encountering the living God, not just reading about Him
• Relationship: Walking daily with the Spirit of Truth
• Obedience: Keeping His commandments because you love Him
• Intimacy: Allowing Him to manifest Himself to you

The people in Matthew 7 had power. They had activity. They had ministry. But they didn't have Him.

Don't let that be you.

Action Items

1. Examine your beliefs: Write down what you believe about Jesus and why. Can you defend it from Scripture? Have you experienced it personally?
2. Ask the hard question: Do you know Jesus, or do you just know about Him? Be honest.
3. Seek His manifestation: Read John 14:15-21 again. Ask God to manifest Himself to you as you keep His commandments.
4. Test the spirits: Make sure your relationship is with the biblical Jesus and the Spirit of Truth, not a familiar spirit or religious tradition.
5. Stop accepting secondhand faith: Your family's faith, your pastor's faith, your church's faith—none of that will save you. You need your own encounter with the living God.

Know Jesus. Don't just know about Him.