I know Vince Young! You know the quarterback for the Tennessee Titans.
To prove it, I’ll give you a description:
He’s tall, African American and very athletic.
He’s from Houston and attended Madison High School.
He played college football with the University of Texas and led them to a National championship.
Oh yeah, he also runs really fast.
Impressed? Probably not.
Okay, just because I know a lot about Vince Young, does not mean that I know him. He is a celebrity. A lot of people that have never met him know a lot about him. Actually, there are some who may have gotten the chance to shake hands with him or get an autograph at football game. Does that mean that they know him? Of course not. If I were to ask Vince to hook me up with tickets to the next Titans game, his answer would more than likely be “get lost” because he doesn’t know me.
Now, let’s take a look at some interesting words that Jesus had to say in the book of Matthew:
Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV)
21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' 23And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'
Okay, imagine you have suddenly found yourself at death’s door. As you literally meet your maker, you’re basically handed a pink slip to eternal damnation.
You exclaim, “Wait, this can’t be! Lord, haven’t I always claimed your name?!? I’m a Christian! I go to church every Sunday! I say the Lord’s prayer all the time!!!”
His answer is, “So you claim to know me because you say that you are a Christian??? If you believe in me, why hasn’t there been a change in your life? Your Bible has been collecting dust, therefore you have no idea what I ask of you. You’ve memorized and recited the Lord’s Prayer numerous times I know, but when was the last time you actually spoke to me? What kind of relationship is this? I never knew you. Depart from me.
Wow! These are harsh words, but the Bible says that there are those who will face this reality during judgment.
God asks for a relationship with us, not just an acknowledgement of who He is. Even demons recognize His existence (James 2:19).
There are those that think that just because they have recited a halfhearted prayer with a preacher, that they are saved. I pray that they will not be rudely awakened when it’s too late. I pray that those reading this are not among the unsaved. If you are, receive Christ today by admitting that you are a sinner, turning from your sins and asking Him come into your life. Begin a true relationship with the Lord if you haven’t already.
In the next column we’ll talk more about salvation and how it is not just a one time experience, but rather a lifelong journey. God bless.
Scott A. Hescht
Psalm 22 Ministries
http://www.psalm22.net
Work for the Lord - the pay isn't much
but the retirement is out of this world!
