by David Brenneman
"but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves." John 5:42
“The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds." Jeremiah 17:9-10
Every single person who has ever lived is known by Jesus for who they are, not who they pretend to be or whom they think they are.
Many Christians are going to be royally surprised in the day they stand before Jesus to give an account of their lives.
Many who thought they were Christians as well.
My Dear Reader, if at the moment of reminder of the truth that you will give an account of your life before Jesus any thing at all pops into your mind, stop and deal with it.
By way of example, loving another.
"If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also." 1 John 4:20-21.
When the Spirit prompts, it's our place to respond accordingly. We can do all things well, but, if we err in one area, it's for naught.
Does that opening verse do anything to you? Jesus saying "I know you"?
Was reading in Numbers this morning and in spite of all their promises to do as the Lord commanded, they still grumbled, still griped, still complained daily.
Jesus knows what you are avoiding obeying Him in. It doesn't matter how much you think you're obeying Him in, He knows what you are bitter and angry about that you refuse to give to Him to deal with. He knows exactly what that chip on your shoulder is from.
Jesus knows you. He knows me.
Many years ago, and I will not be surprised if it doesn't happen again, a pair of back to back Sunday night sermons wrecked my life in the best way possible.
I cannot remember crying so much for so long on those two nights.
I was saved at a very young age. I grew up in the Church. I served for decades. Went to Youth Groups. Went to Church Sunday Mornings, Sunday Evenings, Wednesday Nights. When the doors were opened we were there. Jesus was there, and I was doing all kinds of things for Him. Yet there were areas of my life that weren't surrendered. About a decade ago He brought me to that point where He was going to take what burden, what chip I had from me. It hurt to have it removed. It had been such a part of my life. I am so so grateful that He did what He did.
I know of many people who claim to be Christians who have very distinct chips on their shoulders that need to go. They too are Bible readers, prayers of great intensity. Firmly believe that they are doing what God wants of them...and are blind to what's been on their shoulders. Seeking faults in others in order to avoid that log in their own eye.
Jesus knows our every aspect of our lives.
Jesus knows you.
Do you not realize that when you pray for God's will for you that you're giving Him permission to do whatever He deems necessary for you to grow in Christ as He's got in mind for you? You've given Him permission to perform any necessary surgeries. You gave up the right to say no to anything.
Your identity is wrapped up in Christ Jesus. To be conformed to the likeness of the Son of God. You can't wear your clothes as well as the whole armor of God. You can't keep on the old self and it's practices and put on the new self in Christ Jesus at the same time.
Jesus knows you.
Has it hit home yet? We are easily blinded by the things of this world. We will be deceived if our lives are not lived by the wisdom of God. Worldly psychology practices are not of God. We CAN easily find people to tell us what we're wanting to hear that supports out disobedience and makes it sound like we're obeying God.
That's what Satan does.
Jesus knows your true heart. He knows your every motivation before you do.
He knows the deepest, darkest, parts of your life that you're not giving up to Him.
Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Jesus knows you, loves you, and wants what's best for you. You must trust Him in what He says needs to stay and what needs to go in your heart.
He will never, through anyone, direct you to breaking a covenant He was a part of.
He will never, through anyone, direct you to a life of disobedience.
We have a lovely way of redefining things to make them sound like it's obedience instead. That's the work of the Devil.
We shouldn't condone sin as defined by God. We shouldn't pursue justice on our terms. We shouldn't lie to ourselves in pursuit of happiness.
Take up your own cross and follow Me.
Those on a cross had nothing. Nothing to hold onto, nothing to carry but the weight of the cross. Nothing to focus on but the distance to the destination.
Jesus knows you and wants what's best for you.
"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:31-32.
If you think you cannot do those things then you are living in sinful disobedience.
Jesus knows the real you and will peal away everything that isn't going to cause you to grow in Christ.
Pray for yourself to let go and let God be God. Pray for your obedience to be true and not a disguise. Admit that truth that the Spirit is reminding you of so that times of healing will come to you.
I don't miss those things thay Jesus has removed from me. That weight is lifted.
It can be for you today, because Jesus knows you.
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. Lockman Foundation.
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