We have often heard it said that Christianity is a relationship, not a religion. Well that certainly is the case, at least in the sense that we generally think of religion. But how often have we considered what that means and what it looks like? The Lord Himself makes this clear repeatedly. An example is found in Matt 7:22-23 “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’ He doesnt say to them you didnt believe the right things or you didnt follow the right practices, but rather I never knew you. Clearly He doesnt mean know about you. The all knowing God knows everything about all of us. This is the language of relationship. I know about The Governor of my home state but I dont know him. But I do know my wife and my dear friends at work and church. Some I know better than others but with all of them there is a relationship. Belief in Christ is essential of course. It is in a sense a starting place but by itself it doesnt make for a relationship. As the scientist would say, it is a necessary but not sufficient condition. This comes up in James 2:19 as he is dealing with the evidence of faith where he says... Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. In in future posts I want to look in some detail at two relationships that the word of God uses to illustrate our relationship to Him. That being the child, particularly the adopted child, and the bride. A name alone does not make for a father child relationship (ask any of those with absentee fathers) nor does a wedding make a marriage. I hope you will find this subject of interest. In my estimation the question does God Know me? is critical for our present as well as our future.
Posted on: Mon, 24 Nov 2014 02:03:26 +0000
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