Are You Truly Known by Jesus? A Sobering Question for Every Soul

There's a chilling reality that many people never consider: it's possible to do religious activities, use Christian language, and even perform impressive spiritual works—yet remain a complete stranger to Jesus Christ.

This isn't just theoretical theology. It's a warning that should make every person who claims faith in Christ pause and examine their heart.

The Deception of Self-Righteousness
In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus delivers what might be the most terrifying words in all of Scripture:

"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.'"

Notice the word "many." Not a few. Many people will stand before Christ confident in their salvation, pointing to their religious résumé, only to hear the most devastating sentence imaginable: "I never knew you."

These aren't people who lived openly rebellious lives. They prophesied. They cast out demons. They performed miracles—all in Jesus' name. Yet they were self-deceived, trusting in their works rather than surrendering completely to Christ.

The Narrow Gate That Requires Nothing—and Everything
The gospel is beautifully paradoxical. Salvation requires nothing from us because we have nothing to offer. We cannot earn it, achieve it, or work for it. The entrance into God's kingdom is so narrow that we must pass through it naked—stripped of every achievement, every good deed, every claim to righteousness.

Yet this same gospel demands everything. It calls for complete surrender, total repentance, absolute submission to Christ as Master and King.

When Jesus spoke with Nicodemus, the most educated religious leader of his day, He didn't congratulate him on his biblical knowledge or religious pedigree. Instead, Jesus cut straight to the point: "Unless you are born again, you will never see the kingdom of heaven."

Nicodemus had memorized the entire Old Testament. He was "the teacher of teachers." Yet Jesus told him that none of that mattered. What he needed was something only God could give—a new birth, a new life, a complete transformation from the inside out.

True Faith Always Produces True Works
James makes it crystal clear: "Faith without works is dead." But this doesn't mean we work to earn salvation. Rather, genuine salvation always produces a changed life.

Think of it this way: when you looked in the mirror this morning and saw dirt on your face, you didn't just acknowledge it and walk away. You cleaned it. The mirror showed you the problem, but you took action.

The law of God is like that mirror. It shows us our sin, our desperate need for a Savior. But true salvation doesn't stop at acknowledging the problem. When the Holy Spirit gives us new life, we respond with obedience—not to earn God's love, but because we've been transformed by it.

The Beatitudes paint a picture of what this looks like:

• Poor in spirit: Do you recognize your spiritual bankruptcy without Christ?
• Mourning: Do you grieve over your sin?
• Humble: Has God given you genuine humility?
• Hungry and thirsty for righteousness: Do you crave God's Word and His ways?
• Merciful: Having received mercy, do you extend it to others?
• Pure in heart: Are you being cleansed by Christ?
• Peacemakers: Do you pursue reconciliation with God and others?
• Persecuted: Has following Christ cost you anything?

If these characteristics are absent from your life, you may need to examine whether you truly know Christ—and more importantly, whether He knows you.

The Difference Between Knowing About Jesus and Being Known by Him
Many people say, "I know Jesus" or "I believe in Jesus." But the critical question isn't whether you know Jesus—it's whether Jesus knows you.

In Scripture, the word "know" often carries the meaning of intimate, personal relationship. It's the kind of knowing that exists between a husband and wife, not just intellectual awareness.

Judas Iscariot spent three years in close proximity to Jesus. He preached the gospel. He cast out demons. He performed miracles. Yet Jesus said of him that he was "a son of perdition." Judas looked the part externally, but he never personally surrendered to Christ as Lord and Savior.

Examining Ourselves
Paul urges believers to "examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith." This isn't a call to live in constant doubt, but to regularly check our hearts against Scripture's standard.

Here are some diagnostic questions:

Has following Christ cost you anything? Time? Money? Relationships? Position? If your faith hasn't required sacrifice, is it genuine faith?

Is there evidence of transformation? Are you becoming more patient, more loving, more humble? Or are you the same person you were five years ago, just with better religious vocabulary?

Do you hunger for God's Word? Or is Bible reading an occasional obligation rather than a daily delight?

Do you love the church? God gives believers the gift of spiritual family. Do you prioritize gathering with other believers?

Can you control your tongue? James says if you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, your religion is worthless.

The Hope of True Salvation
The good news is that salvation is available to anyone who truly repents and believes. It's not about being good enough—none of us are. It's about recognizing our desperate need and crying out to Jesus to save us.

Repentance is a gift from God. When He grants you the ability to see your sin, grieve over it, and turn from it to Christ, that's evidence of His work in your soul.

And when you genuinely surrender to Christ, you receive incredible gifts:

• Forgiveness of sins and freedom from guilt
• The Holy Spirit who lives within you forever
• God's Word as your guide and source of life
• The church as your eternal family

Facing the Music
There's an old expression: "You've got to face the music." One day, every person will stand before God. The only question is what He will say.

Will it be, "Depart from me, I never knew you"?

Or will it be, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master"?

Don't trust in your good works, your religious activities, or your moral life. These cannot save you. Trust only in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, where He paid the penalty for your sin and rose again to give you new life.

The narrow gate is open. But you must enter it empty-handed, bringing only your shame and receiving only His grace.

Have you truly been born again? Does Jesus know you?