In John 8:30,31, The word says, ” As He spoke these words , many believed in Him. Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, If you abide in my word then you will be my disciples indeed and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” Here are a couple of observations concerning this scripture. There is a real distinction between believing in Christ & believing Him. As a matter of fact, the ones whom He says believes Him in this passage, He later calls children of the devil. More evidence that you can believe or know all the details about Jesus and not know Him at all. You can know He is the Lord and even call Him the Lord and it is merely lip service. Matt 15:8. You can even use His name in the title of your religion and it means nothing. We talk to such people on the streets all the time. This also occurs in Matt 7:23 & Matt 25. Jesus says, “Not every one who says to me Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven but those who do the will of my father in heaven. Many will say to me in that day Lord, Lord did we not prophecy in your name, cast out demons in your name, do many wonders in your name. And I will declare to them I never knew you. Depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.” Notice that 4 times these people call Him the Lord but don’t know Him. The fact that these did not do the will of His Father but practiced lawlessness was the evidence that they never knew Him.
I am convinced from scripture that all men know about Christ but only a few in comparison to the vast majority of mankind will actually enter into a relationship with Christ through repentance & faith. Romans 1 says, God has revealed Himself to every man so that every man is without excuse. The word says, ” that although they knew God (knew about Him), they did not glorify Him as God nor were thankful.” Sadly enough the majority of mankind will hear these words from Jesus. “I never knew you.” Can you imagine the utter terror of hearing these words from our Lord. The thought of someone hearing these words and then being cast into Hell should inspire us to share Christ with the world. It should cause us preach Jesus and be bold for Christ regardless of the cost and it really doesn’t cost us much now in this land and at this time. However, I believe it will in the future so you might as well get your practice in and prepare yourselves for what is to come if the Lord tarries His coming. Let’s be bold now to proclaim Christ so that when we are really tested for our faith, we will be able to stand for the Lord! The day will come when we will have to say like Paul. ” For this reason I suffer these things, nevertheless I am not ashamed for I know in Whom I have believed and I am persuaded that He is able to keep what I committed to Him until that day.”
