One of the comments I've been hearing a lot this week from folks who were in worship on Sunday or who have attended a Not a Fan L.I.F.E. Home Group is "If you would have asked me before I went to worship on Sunday (or attended this L.I.F.E. Group) I would have said I was a follower of Jesus, but now I'm pretty sure I'm a follower."  That statement has been followed up with, "But I really want to be a follower." 

Kyle Idelman makes the point that a lot of folks are going to stand in front of Jesus someday, assuming they were His followers, and Jesus is going to said, "Depart from me. I never knew you."  Kyle didn't make that up.  Jesus actually says it in Matthew 7.   Here's the statement in its context:  ²¹“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  ²²Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’   ²³Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’  Matthew 7:21-23 NIV

 Apparently, a lot of folks are going to stand in front of Jesus assuming they were followers, only to find out that they were actually fans.  How do we know for sure?  If we can prophesy, drive out demons and perform miracles in Jesus' name, and NOT be followers, then how can we know for sure whether we're fans or followers?  The answer is in Jesus' final statement,  "I never KNEW you."  (Emphasis added.)  The key in determining whether we  are followers or fans of Jesus is NOT what we do, but our relationship with Jesus.  Do we KNOW Jesus?  That is do we have a relationship with Him?   I could say, "I know President Obama," meaning I know who he is.  I know facts about him:  he's the president of the United States. His wife's name is Michelle, and so on.  But if I called the White House and said, "May I please speak to Barak?"  I'd probably be turned down, because I don't actually KNOW him.   Relational knowledge is so different than factual knowledge.  To "know" in the King James English sense of knowing between a man and woman, actually means to have sexual intercourse.  The "knowing" is deeply intimate and personal.  Similarly, but on a spiritual level in order to be followers of Jesus we must come to know Him.  He is our Lord and Savior, but Jesus also tells us He is our Friend.  Wow!  That's amazing, isn't it?  We can be friends of the God of the universe, and not only can we be, but we must be if we are ultimately to hear Jesus say, "Well done, good and faithful servant.  Enter the joy of your Master's kingdom, " rather than, "I never knew you.  Away from me, you evildoers!"

Let's pray:  Heavenly Father, thank You for making it possible for us to know You, through Jesus.  Fill us with the Holy Spirit that we may know You, love You and follow You faithfully.  This we pray in Jesus' name.  Amen.