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2009-11-21

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Thursday, October 01, 2009 11:03 AM

BILDERBACK: Know God, so he’ll know you

By DAVE BILDERBACK, Special to The Herald

What will Jesus say to you?

In Matthew, chapters 5-7, Jesus delivers the famous Sermon on the Mount.

“He taught the people as one who had authority.”

They were used to the teaching of the law which had become supplemented by legalistic rituals based on tradition, convenience and personal preference. At the end of his sermon Jesus makes the following statement, “Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my father who in is heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out the demons and perform miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evil doers.’” (Matthew 7:21-23)

What did Jesus mean, and who was he talking to when he said, “I never knew you?” I don’t believe he means I knew nothing about them because he knew of their evil character and works. I believe he means he never knew them intimately or personally. In 1 Corinthians, 8:3, the Apostle Paul says, “But if anyone loves God he is known by God,” and also in 2 Timothy, 2:19, “The Lord knows those who are his.”

The Lord knows us by virtue of the indwelling of his Holy Spirit. People who are truly converted have the very spirit of God living in their soul. The Holy Spirit extends a special inward call and performs a work of grace within the sinner which brings them to faith in Christ.

The spirit creates a new nature which enables them to understand and believe spiritual truth. When Jesus said, “I never knew you,” he is saying he cannot know those with whom he has no relationship.

Jesus is talking about people who cannot follow him for one reason or the other. A good example is found in Matthew 19:16-22. A rich young man came to Jesus and asked “what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” Jesus told him to obey the commandments. The young man told Jesus he had always obeyed the commandments.

Jesus then told him “go sell your possessions and follow me.” We read when the young man heard this he went away sad because he had great wealth. There was nothing wrong with him being wealthy. The problem was he valued his wealth over God and by doing so he violated the first and greatest commandment.

We can do a lot of things for God and his kingdom however none more important than getting to know him so he will know us.

Dave Bilderback is a Garnett resident.

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BILDERBACK: Know God, so he’ll know you

By DAVE BILDERBACK, Special to The Herald

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article | Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article |
Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.