"And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46)
Many people attend church every week. Many know Bible verses. Many call themselves Christians. Many can quote Scripture, sing worship songs, and speak Christian language.
Yet the most terrifying words Jesus ever spoke were not directed toward atheists, pagans, or unbelievers.
They were directed toward people who claimed to know Him.
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven... And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matthew 7:21-23, KJV)
The question is not merely:
Do you know about Jesus?
The deeper question is:
Does Jesus know you?
This is a matter of eternal life and eternal death.
Hearers Only or Doers of the Word?
James gives a warning that should shake every believer:
"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." (James 1:22)
The Greek word for "deceiving" is paralogizomai.
It means:
To deceive by false reasoning
To mislead oneself
To calculate incorrectly
In other words, some people convince themselves they are right with God when they are not.
They possess information but have never experienced transformation.
They know sermons but do not know surrender.
They know church culture but not Christ.
Every Place the Bible Warns That Certain People Will Not Inherit the Kingdom of God
The phrase "shall not inherit the kingdom of God" appears specifically in several key passages. Scripture repeatedly warns believers not to be deceived about this.
1. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived..."
Paul then lists:
Fornicators
Idolaters
Adulterers
Effeminate
Abusers of themselves with mankind
Thieves
Covetous
Drunkards
Revilers
Extortioners
And he says:
"shall inherit" not the kingdom of God.
Notice Paul's command:
"Be not deceived."
Why would Paul say that?
Because people naturally assume:
God won't judge sin.
A verbal profession is enough.
Church attendance equals salvation.
Paul says otherwise.
2. Galatians 5:19-21
Paul lists the works of the flesh:
Adultery
Fornication
Uncleanness
Lasciviousness
Idolatry
Witchcraft
Hatred
Variance
Jealousy
Wrath
Strife
Seditions
Heresies
Envy
Murders
Drunkenness
Revelings
Then warns:
"they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
The key phrase is "practice."
This describes a lifestyle.
A person may stumble into sin.
But a true disciple cannot comfortably live there.
3. Ephesians 5:3-5
Paul warns:
Sexual immorality
Impurity
Covetousness
Idolatry
Then declares:
"No whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God."
Again notice the warning.
God is not speaking to the world.
He is speaking to people who claim to follow Christ.
Why Does God Repeat This Warning?
Because mankind has a tendency to separate faith from obedience.
Jesus never did.
He taught:
"If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15)
Love is demonstrated through obedience.
Not perfection.
Not performance.
But genuine surrender.
The Greek Meaning of "Inherit"
The Greek word translated "inherit" is kleronomeo.
It means:
To receive an inheritance
To obtain possession
To receive what belongs to God's children
The Kingdom belongs to God's people.
The warning passages reveal that unrepentant lifestyles reveal a heart that has not truly yielded to Christ.
The Good News: God Promises a New Heart
God does not merely tell us to stop sinning.
He promises supernatural help.
Ezekiel 36:26-27
"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you..."
The Hebrew word for heart is lev.
It refers to:
The inner person
The will
The mind
The desires
God promises:
New desires
New affections
New motivations
Salvation is not behavior modification.
It is heart transformation.
What Is True Repentance?
The Greek word is metanoia.
It literally means:
"A change of mind."
But biblical repentance is deeper than intellectual agreement.
True repentance is:
Turning from sin
Agreeing with God
Surrendering to Christ
Walking in a new direction
Not merely feeling guilty.
Judas felt guilty.
Esau felt sorry.
True repentance changes direction.
How Do We Know Jesus Knows Us?
This is where many believers miss the point.
The goal is not merely that we know facts about Jesus.
The goal is that Jesus knows us.
Matthew 7:23
"I never knew you."
The word "knew" is the Greek word ginosko.
It speaks of:
Intimate relationship
Personal experience
Ongoing fellowship
Jesus wasn't saying:
"I never heard of you."
He was saying:
"I never had a relationship with you."
How Does Jesus Come and Abide With Us?
John 14:21-23
Jesus says:
"If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."
Think about that.
God Himself promises to dwell with the obedient believer.
Not merely visit.
Abide.
Live.
Remain.
Walk with.
This is Christianity.
Not rituals.
Not denominations.
Not religion.
Relationship.
Practical Steps to Know Jesus and Be Known by Him
1. Admit Your Sin
Stop excusing it.
Call it what God calls it.
David prayed:
"Against thee, thee only, have I sinned." (Psalm 51:4)
2. Believe the Gospel
Jesus died.
Jesus was buried.
Jesus rose again.
Trust Him completely.
Not your works.
Not your church membership.
Not your good intentions.
Christ alone.
3. Repent
Turn from known sin.
Destroy whatever is pulling you away from God.
Delete it.
Leave it.
Confess it.
Replace it.
4. Receive the Holy Spirit
You cannot defeat sin in your own strength.
Romans 8 teaches that victory comes through the Spirit's power.
The Christian life is impossible apart from Him.
5. Abide Daily
Read Scripture.
Pray.
Worship.
Obey immediately.
Spend time with Jesus every day.
Relationships grow through time together.
6. Obey What You Already Know
Many believers ask for new revelation while ignoring old revelation.
Start with the last thing God told you to do.
Then obey it.
7. Stay Connected to Other Believers
Isolation breeds deception.
The early church grew through fellowship, prayer, worship, and accountability.
A Serious Question for Every Reader
Imagine standing before Christ today.
Not your pastor.
Not your spouse.
Not your parents.
You.
Alone.
Now ask yourself:
"Jesus, do You know me?"
Not:
Do I know worship songs?
Do I know Bible verses?
Do I attend church?
Do I serve in ministry?
But:
Do You know me?
Have I surrendered my life?
Have I repented?
Do I obey Your Word?
Do I walk with You daily?
Final Encouragement
The purpose of these warnings is not despair.
The purpose is repentance.
Notice what Paul says immediately after listing those who will not inherit the Kingdom:
"And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye a...