Being Known By Christ

Scripture – Matthew 7:21-23: ²¹“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 is in heaven. ²²Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ ²³Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) Jesus came to bring us into a personal relationship with God. He did not come to give us a new ethical framework. Nor did He come to give us a new list of rules to follow. I’ve known a lot of people who miss that. They’ll do good things or begin coming to church functions, all with the hope of somehow pleasing God so that He will fix whatever’s wrong in their lives. Yet knowing Christ in a personal way is the heart of Christian experience. Good works come out of that relationship.

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) I’ll continue doing good things, because God loves me and has made me part of His forever family.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord Jesus, you know my imperfections better than I do. You know me better than anyone. And in that full knowledge, you love me and accept me. Lord, you know I love you. Keep using me to do good things, not to gain your acceptance, but because I already have it. Thank you for knowing me.

An Invitation – If you’re interested in a face to face discussion about what we’ve been discovering in the Mini-Journal, a small group will be meeting this Sunday morning, 9:45 – 10:30am, at the Southgate Fun and Fitness Center (on Northline near I-75). Look for them around one of the tables in the Café area.