The Great Snare

Knowing God

In the scripture we began with, the contrast given by Jesus is between those who did works for Him, and those that He "knew." These are in absolute contradiction. The word "knowing" is a very intimate one. Adam "knew" his wife and she bore a son. When we enter into an intimate spiritual union with Jesus, we will bear fruit out of that relationship that will bring glory to God. Apart from this intimate union, however, we cannot bear fruit. If we do not abide in the Vine and bear fruit, we are good for nothing but to be gathered and thrown in the fire. (John 15:6).

In our minds, many of us have put the business of "knowing God" and "God knowing us" into an optional category for a few special people who have more time than we do. We are busy people, and there is a great work to do. Souls must be won, the church must be built, and missions must go forward. Our focus is not on abiding in Christ, but on doing some work that men (and God) can see. In placing the focus on work, we miss the very purpose for which Christ redeemed us. He redeemed us for Himself. Only as that purpose is realized in our lives will we be the fragrance of a heavenly life. It must be God at work within us, and our responsibility is to work out that which God is working within. It is in this continual abiding in the presence of Jesus that our lives are of value to God in His purpose. Our work is to abide. If we abide, then God will do His work through us. The focus for us is Jesus and abiding in Him.

Next: Doing His Will