Knowing Jesus Intimately
According to the Bible, we know of only two basic statements a person will hear when they face Jesus in Heaven. In Matthew 25:21-23, Jesus related that the master would say to the obedient, good stewards, "Well done, good and faithful servant? Enter into the joy of your lord." Certainly, this is what we all hope to hear.
However, earlier in the same gospel, in Matthew 7:21-23, to those who called Him "Lord", Jesus said, "I never knew you. Away from me you evildoers." These people said they knew Jesus but were startled and surprised to hear that Jesus did not "know" them! This clear distinction in possible statements that one might hear upon seeing Jesus in Heaven should strike a healthy fear of the Lord into every person who identifies as a "Christian" and professes to know Jesus. You say, "I know Jesus", but most critically, does "Jesus know you"?
I remember the day the Holy Spirit brought this to my attention. While reading through the book of Matthew the words of Jesus saying "I never knew you" almost leapt off the page at me. I stopped, read it again, and said aloud, "This is something I never want to hear!" Previously I had only considered the phrase, "Well done, good and faithful servant" as something every "Christian" who made it into Heaven and faced Jesus would hear. I asked the Holy Spirit how a person could ever know on this side of eternity which statement they would hear? To my way of thinking it is crucial to have this assurance before leaving this life. Wouldn't you agree?
As I examined several related scriptures, the Holy Spirit led me
to examine the meanings behind the Greek word translated as "knew"
that Jesus used when he is quoted as saying, "I never knew you".
This word includes the meaning of an intimacy of relationship. One
must have an intimate, ongoing, personal relationship with Jesus to
receive His welcome we all want to hear, "Well done, good and
faithful servant". Which phrase will you hear?
My next question for the Holy Spirit was, “What does the Word indicate as being important in distinguishing whether someone just ‘knows about Jesus’ versus having an intimate personal relationship with Him?”
As I studied, and will later share with you in more detail, the key distinguishing factor is for us to have a heart that increasingly desires to be obedient to the Word, and is quick to genuinely repent when we miss it. This commitment to ongoing obedience is motivated by a real love for Jesus, and grows continually in response to us comprehending and receiving the unconditional love of the Father. The Holy Spirit makes God’s love ever more real to us daily thereby inspiring and empowering our obedience; and, gently convicting us to repent when we are disobedient.
Please re-read the previous paragraph and make note that the key distinguishing factors are love-motivated, Spirit-empowered obedience and repentance. That is, we will not be satisfied to just hear the Word, or know what it says, rather we will want to obey it (see James 1:22). Out of our growing love for God, and in recognition of our growing comprehension of His unconditional love for us, and for what He’s done in and through Jesus, we will want to do our best to please Him in every way (see Colossians 1:9-14). Our lives are so rewarding when our hearts are love-motivated and Spirit-empowered to obey and serve Him in genuine humility and joyful thankfulness!
As we move ahead in this book, I will be sharing with you much of what God has been teaching me relative to developing and maintaining an intimacy of personal relationship with Jesus! In addition to discussing key concepts in this regard, I will be attempting to suggest practical applications to our daily lives, especially with regard to love, obedience and the Holy Spirit.
I pray that God will touch every reader’s heart and anoint each of us to desperately desire and pursue our goal of knowing Jesus intimately. I am certain you agree with me, we all want to hear “Well done good and faithful servant” when we meet Jesus face to face!