Known to God: Lot’s of people go to church and claim they are Christian. Lots of people give money to good causes. Lots of people appear to be the model of Christian virtue, but does God know them?
This is a hard question. It’s hard because it necessitates an inward look and evaluation. It is not for us to judge what is in the heart of another person, but true faith in Christ does render some outward signs that something had changed in a person’s life.
Most know something about God
Most people, even atheists, know something about God. Casual theists, those who believe in a god, but not necessarily the God of Israel, and the God who gave us Jesus, can tell you something about God too. Even if it’s just a platitude, they can acknowledge something bigger than themselves. He’s the “big guy upstairs,” and He is the guy behind the “good book.”
Those are actually insulting remarks because they do not give praise and honor to Him who created all things. But it’s an uncomfortable subject for them, to unashamedly proclaim that their life has been transformed by the shed blood of Christ. They work their way around it by saying something polite, but it’s obvious they do not know what they believe.
We all need a savior
Salvation is a two-way street. The Holy Spirit calls us to the cross. God does all the work, and by His grace, we are saved. Believers are humbled before the cross, knowing that their sins are many and they are helpless to change their circumstance.
We all need a savior. I cannot brag about any good deeds, as the Apostle Paul writes, they are like filthy rags. I cannot pay the price for my sins, which is death. There is no fine to pay, no payment plan to be implemented. Without the Messiah, I am nothing. It is all God. His grace and His love and His sacrifice.
But now that you know God — or rather are known by God — how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you. (Galatians 4:8-11)
Are you known to God?
Religion is man’s attempt to make himself acceptable to God. It takes many forms, like putting on a false front on Sunday morning in church. It’s being busy on committees and projects to earn favor with the pastor.
All of the trappings of Christianity can be on full display, but it is meaningless without true faith. The works of the flesh, even in the name of God, are worthless if one’s soul is in peril. Jesus was not impressed.
“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. Many 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?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matthew 7:21-23)
Only belief in Christ can save us
We are all guilty. Nothing can save us, except for belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is His payment that we benefit from for entry into the Kingdom of God. His intercession to the Father that brings forgiveness.
It is God’s grace that imparts righteousness on those who believe in His son and accept His gift. Any righteousness is God’s, not ours. Christ fulfilled all of the righteous requirements of the law for us, because we were powerless to do so.
Putting on a show a waste of time
There is no purpose, no sense, in putting on a show for God. It’s a silly waste of time. He knows us. But our “being known by Him” means we have accepted his gift and with grateful hearts welcome Jesus as Lord and Savior. When that happens, our names are written into the Lamb’s book of life and we are known to Him that saved us.