One of the most popular pick-up lines is "you look familiar, don't I know you from somewhere." You either know someone or you don't. I for one hardly ever remember those whom are just acquaintances, I must have a heart to heart, eye to eye connection for me to remember someone.
The question therefore is am I just a acquaintance with God or do I know Him personally?
In Luke 13:18-21 Jesus gives the Parables of the Mustard Seed and Yeast, both of these short Parables express how the Kingdom grows within. It starts very small but it is always growing and expanding like a mustard seed becomes a tree and a little yeast permeates the entire dough.
With this being said we can determine that those who have truly been born-again cannot remain the same. The Kingdom of God will grow within a disciple and the whole world will know they have changed. The more one knows God personally the more they are transformed. If one does not yet know God personally they are not yet saved. It is hard to be married and not know your spouse, for the two become one flesh. When one is born-again the Spirit of God enters into them and God and man become one. Just as single life and married life are so different so it is between those born-again and those not.
In school, kids say they are going out with so and so, but have no clue what commitment involves being in a true relationship. The same I have seen in church many claiming to be Christians but showing no commitment themselves. Is dating someone the same as being married? Certainly not!
So, the question asked in Luke 13:23, will only a few be saved, is quite relevant today.
Jesus responded in verse 24 "work hard to enter the narrow door to God's kingdom for many will try to enter but fail." It is not easy to follow Christ, it means total surrender, living a completely sacrificial life, it is all or nothing. Just as in marriage many don't realize the commitment involved and therefore it don't last, one must as it says in the book of Matthew "count the cost." In order to follow Christ it costs your entire life. There is no other way around it. Those on the wide path that are following the prosperity message, that uses God for one's selfish gain, are deceived by demonic doctrine and are headed for destruction.
As it says in Luke 13:25-33 being an acquaintance of God is not enough, one must know Him personally. Just because we use His name does not mean we know Him. Having the name Kennedy has given me favor because people think I might be related to the famous political family, but if I went to the Kennedy's mansion in Massachusetts they would not let me in. For they don't know me even though I have the same last name. The name of Jesus has power and when we use His name no matter who we are power comes forth. So just because miracles and signs follow someone it does not mean they know Jesus themselves.
We are either with God or against Him. To be with Him means to walk in an intimate relationship with Him. The narrow path is not easy to follow and only those who truly hear His voice can remain on it. It will take the ability to discern the truth from lies, for Satan is cunning and He twists the word, tickling our ears with sounds that are familiar but are half truths, false prophesies, for in the latter days many of even the elect will be deceived.
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