Matthew 7:21-23
'Not everyone who calls me "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of my heavenly Father.
When that day comes, many will say to me, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, cast out devils in your name, and in your name
perform many miracles?" Then I will tell them to their face, "I never knew you; out of my sight, you and your wicked ways!"
Notice the phrase "in your name" in the above scriptures.
If I introduce myself to a group, I have instantly divided you into one of two categories: those who know me, and those who only know my name.
Here is the difference...
Suppose you were found guilty of a crime. The punishment is the death penalty. You don't agree with the severity of the punishment,
but nevertheless it is reality. Your heart is pounding as you hear screaming sirens approach the building. The doors burst open and the S.W.A.T.
team is converging upon you! Then suddenly, I (John) step in front of you and call out, "I did it. I'm the guilty man!"
You stand stunned as the mob of law enforcers pounce on me beating and dragging me away. Outside the building you hear loud commotion
with all kinds of banging and screaming going on. When the dust settles, you open the door to see that I have been executed in the most cruel manner.
You see me fastened by nails up on pieces of large wood. You stand speechless, knowing full well that I was not guilty, that you were, and nothing can
change the events that have just happened.
Before, we were just casual aquaintences, and when you heard the name "John" it was part of a normal day.
But now, when you hear the name "John" your heart and life is forever altered at the mention of that name!
For every time you hear that name your being is impacted and your gratitude is immense. And it causes you to be different.
This is exactly the difference of knowing Jesus by name only, and truly knowing Him. And the next time you hear the name "Jesus",
if it does not impact your being, you probably don't KNOW the difference (even though you've heard about it).
