“Just then a man with an unclean spirit was in their synagogue. He cried out, ‘What do you have to do with us Jesus – Nazarene? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are – the Holy One of God!'” (Mark 1:23-24)

Do you know about Jesus, or do you know Him?  There is a big difference in knowing about Jesus and knowing Jesus, personally.  Just like the demons in today’s passage, there are too many Christians out there who know all about Jesus and who He is, but don’t have a personal relationship with Him. They don’t truly know Him.  You can recognize them by their fruit.  They do all kinds of good work within the four walls of their gathering places, but once they leave, they’re just like the rest of the world, focused on becoming more like the world, than following Jesus.  Jesus said,

“Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves. You’ll recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So you’ll recognize them by their fruit (Matthew 7:15-20).”

Jesus tells us how we can recognize those who truly know Him and have a personal relationship with Him.  This is really important for those of us who call ourselves Christians, so we must pay close attention:

“My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow me (John 10:27).”

The two important things to remember here are that Jesus knows our hearts and our intentions, and He knows whether or not we are truly following Him.  He knows whether or not we have a personal relationship with Him, and warns us strongly and sternly about it:

“Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord”! will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven. On that day, many will say to Me, “Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in Your name, and do many miracles in Your name?’ Then I will announce to them, “I never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!'” (Matthew 7:21-23)

So, Christians, do we know about Jesus, or do we know and have a personal relationship with Jesus?  If you’ve discovered that you don’t really have a personal relationship with Jesus and want to, here’s how God says you can:

1.  Recognize that you’re a sinner and thank Him for sending Jesus, His only Son, to die on the cross in order to pay the ultimate price for your sin (Romans 3:23; Romans 5:8) and raising Him from the dead in order to give you eternal life (John 3:16-18; Ephesians 1:13-14).
2. Tell Him that, at this moment, you willfully and intentionally choose to stop living your life in rebellion against Him and choose to start living your life as His disciple; that you commit to seeking Him, every day; following Him, every day; and that you will strive live in immediate, radical, and costly obedience to Him and only Him, no matter the cost – even if it costs you your life (2 Corinthians 5:15; Romans 10:9-10). Then, do it. This is the only way you can become God’s child (John 1:12) and experience the fullness of His love, goodness, joy, peace and perfect care. Do this right now!

If you did this, God is so happy with you and wants to start working in your life and through your life. Please send me a message letting me know that you did it so that I can pray for you as you begin a new life in Christ.

Now, wouldn’t it be a great thing for your family, loved ones and friends to have the peace, joy, love and security you now have?! Go tell them, right now, why you chose to follow Jesus. Let me know how it goes.

In Christ’s love,

Phil