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Introduction “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘ I never knew you ; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Matthew 7:21-23 “I never knew you” declares the importance of having a relationship with Jesus, causes us to evaluate the status of our relationship with Him, and illuminates our motivational intentions. But what’s more, “I never knew you” also defines a time in the future when every one of us will be required to give an account of ourselves to God. “For it is written: ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.’ So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” Romans 14:11-12 Our account of what we did while we were alive—and God’s judgment response—will occur in the Judgment Seat of Christ (for Christians), or the Great White Throne Judgement (for non-Christians). • The Judgment Seat of Christ ( 1 Cor. 3:10-15 ). o These are those who had placed their faith in Jesus, whose names are written in the Book of life, and will enter into the kingdom of Heaven. “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” Revelation 3:5 o This judgment is for recognition and rewards for those things done for Jesus and not self. ▪ Rewards will be received for those things we have done that were based upon pure intentions of our heart, a loving desire to glorify Him, and as a willing servant to others. ▪ Those things that were based upon self- centered motivations will likely result in shame and remorse—but they will be able to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven because of their faith in Jesus. • The Great White Throne Judgment ( Rev. 20:11-15 ). o These are those whose names are not written in the Book of Life. “ And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15 ▪ These are those who rejected Jesus Christ. ▪ These are those who portrayed themselves as Christians and demonstrated pseudo Christian behavior—but their heart was far from: • Seeking Jesus as their Savior and Lord. • Obeying the transformative guidance of the Holy Spirit. • Doing “the will of My Father in heaven.” o These are those who will attempt to declare their works as being righteous and for His benefit. But their attempt will be rejected when Jesus will declare “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.” His response will (1) reveal their true motivation, and (2) defines their eternal punishment in the lake of fire. “I never knew you” are four words we never what to hear from Jesus. “I never knew you” is a declaratory revelation that it’s not about what we do. But rather, it’s about developing a relationship with Him—which will enable us to fulfill God’s will for our lives by the workings of the Holy Spirit. As such, if you are reading this lesson...it means you are still living. Therefore, now is the time to evaluate your relationship with Jesus Christ...and not when it’s too late. “Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:12-13 “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” James 4:7-8   Our Innate Need for Relationships God designed us humans with a need for social and interactive relationships with other humans. God also designed this trait within the animal kingdom—which is evidenced by the interactive behavior that occurs between animals of the same species—which correlates in many ways to the way humans socialize. However, God designed us humans with another attribute that transcends all other living organisms: we all have a need to love and be loved. He gave us this innate human need—including attributes to experience and express our love—as a means to fulfill His greatest desire for each of us: to love Him and willingly obey Him. A Pharisee asked Jesus which is the great commandment in the law. “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.’” Matthew 22:37-40 “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” John 14:21 “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.” John 14:23-24 To help us develop a relationship with Him, God has sent the Holy Spirit to teach us His commandments and His word, to open our spiritual eyes, to enhance our understanding of His existence and presence, and to magnify our relationship with Him. “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” John 14:25-26 True Christianity Is a Relationship and Not a Religion Religions are based upon a human attempt to reach a higher power or an attainment of an improved state of being—all through one’s own efforts by complying with the doctrine and rules of their religion. As such, religions are based upon human attempts to reach God. Whereas, Christianity is based upon God reaching towards humans—regardless of our sinful transgressions—to find those who will accept Him, believe in His Son, follow Him, and love Him. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:16-17 The four words of spoken by Jesus— “I never knew you” —turned human religions upside down and inside out. God desires a personal relationship—enabled by His Son who died as an atoning sacrifice for our sins—so that we may be forgiven and viewed by God as blameless for who we are and what we have done—by our faith in Jesus. • “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins.” Isaiah 43:25 • “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 • “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 Do You Know Jesus? With regards to knowing Jesus, it is possible to segment three types of persons who have: 1 . No knowledge or understanding of Jesus. These are those who often express disdain towards Christians. 2 . Mental knowledge and a conceptual understanding of God’s grace through Jesus. These are those who may claim to be “Christian,” but their hearts and actions are contrary to God’s word, will and commandments. 3 . Asked Jesus to become their Savior and Lord, and are experiencing a growing relationship with Jesus, and a spiritual transformation—which are evidenced by changes in their spoken words and demonstrated behavior which aligns with God’s word, will and commandments. “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” 1 John 2:3-6 Here is an important truth to realize (which provides spiritual insight into God’s nature and desire for us). When someone reaches the point of giving their life to Jesus, the Holy Spirit was already at work prior to this time. Because of our sinful nature we are both unwilling and incapable of seeking Jesus on our own. It is the Holy Spirit who draws us towards Jesus. As such, the relationship with God began long before any decision was made to seek Him! If you have a desire in your heart to know more about Jesus and God’s desire for you...it means the Holy Spirit is actively influencing your life...and most important...YOU ARE BLESSED BY GOD BECAUSE HE IS SEEKING YOU! “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” John 15:16 How To Enhance Your Relationship With God Prayer When we pray we should speak from our heart as if we are talking with our most trusted friend. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:7-11 “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 Bible Study Reading the Bible is essential for all aspects of spiritual growth, learning about God and His character, and obtaining wisdom in how to navigate life. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4 “Your word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11 “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 Chuck Smith is one of the best Bible teachers I have heard. Audio recordings of His verse-by-verse teachings are available for free. I suggest listening to his lesson on 1st John. • Link to the lesson website: ( Chuck Smith ) • Link to 1st John: ( 1st John ) Fellowship Associating with other Christians is vitally important in that it provides an opportunity to learn and worship together, share experiences, encourage one another, pray for one another, serve each other, grow spiritually, and last but not least...just have fun together in a loving Christ-filled environment. “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20 “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” Proverbs 27:17 Worship True worship of God is like an unrestrained gushing well that uprises from the depths of your heart and soul. It is an experience that is often filled with tears of joy and thanksgiving for all that He is and all that He has done. “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.” John 4:23 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Col. 3:16 “Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 150:1-6   Reflect Jesus as Jesus Reflected the Father Isaiah prophesized the coming of Jesus hundreds of years before His birth. “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, God with us.” Matthew 1:23 Philip the Apostle (one of the twelve disciples of Jesus), “Said to Him, ‘Lord show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.’” John 14:8-11 “He who sees Me sees Him who sent Me.” John 12:45 “I and My Father are one.” John 10:30 “For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.” John 12:49-50 As we grow in Christ, we are able to recognize how our sinful nature often gets in the way of becoming a mirrored reflection of Jesus for others to see—as Jesus was a mirrored reflection of the Father. As such, “More of Him and less of me!” becomes a heart-felt desire and prayerful request as a Christian grows into spiritual maturity. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalms 139:23- 24 Click on the links below to hear two music videos that will bless you. • ( Like Jesus ) • ( All to Jesus I Surrender ) Obey the Holy Spirit “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16 God has provided us with a Helper: the Holy Spirit who indwells within us, guides us, teaches us, cleanses us of unrighteousness, and transforms us into the righteousness of Jesus. Our spiritual awareness of the Holy Spirit and His influence in our lives increases as we grow and mature in Christ. We also learn by trial and error that it is wise to obey Him. “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:15-18 “When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” John 16:13 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.” Titus 3:5 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” Romans 8:14 “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” Romans 8:5 The Holy Spirit’s influence in our lives is evidenced by the transformation of our attributes that reflect Jesus. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self- control.” Galatians 5:22-2 3 “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:35-40 Although there are four words we never want to hear from Jesus, there are six words each of us desires to hear from Him—which will affirm His pleasure in all that we have done for His glory, and for the wellbeing of others: "Well done, good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:21 May God Richly Bless You. All for His Glory! Harold D. Thomas Thought Provoking Questions The purpose of the questions is to facilitate a deeper understanding of the Bible, this Bible study topic, and ourselves. The questions may be answered by each reader, or used by a Bible study group leader or church pastor. The questions are designed to enhance learning by discovering and solidifying our personal beliefs and opinions. As such, no answers are provided. Questions All shall give an account of themselves to God. ( Romans 14:11-12 ) • What would your life’s account consist of? • Looking forward in time...is there an aspect of your life that could improve? Why did God design humans with an innate need to love and be loved—including the attributes to experience and express our love—which transcends all other living organisms? “Therefore the Lord said: ‘Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me.’” Isaiah 29:13 • What does this reveal about God’s character and what is important to Him? • What does this reveal about the importance of the desires and attitude of our heart? • Which do you think God is more interested in: the desires of our heart or our behavior? The lesson states the core difference between Christianity and all other religions is that Christianity is not based upon man seeking God (via works), but God seeking man. • Do you agree or disagree? Explain. • Consider ( Ephesians 2:8-9 ) and ( John 15:16 ). The lesson states the Holy Spirit was at work in someone’s life before they accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord. • Can you identify examples of influential persons, things or events that occurred in your life that facilitated your decision to relinquish control of your life to Jesus? • What was the spiritual impact of each type of influence? • If the persons, things or events did not occur...would you know Jesus today? The lesson identifies 6 different ways to enhance our relationship with God: prayer, Bible study, fellowship, worship, reflect Jesus, and obey the Holy Spirit. • Are there additional ways to enhance our relationship with God? • Do your best to prioritize each from most important to least important. • Which one should you increase in your life? “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Matthew 7:21-23 Jesus revealed many will attempt to plead their case to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but will be rejected. • 3 examples were given by Jesus. Additional examples may include: o “I was baptized as an infant.” o “I was a good person.” o “I gave to charity.” o “I sang in the church choir.” o “I was raised by Christian parents.” Can you think of additional examples of what someone may use to plead their case? • What will these persons not comprehend nor understand when they plead their case? • Identify the 8 sequential words in the above scripture that will enable someone to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. “And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:40 Referencing the above scripture, how would you describe the will of God for His human creation? You may download a P DF version of the questions by clicking on this button.