I’m not easily impressed by people’s words, lifestyle, or religious talk. When others mention God, the Bible, or claim to be Christian, I focus on their fruit, as Scripture tells me. The Spirit reminds me often of James 2:19 that says, “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.” So, my question is, “But Does He Know You?” though.

In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus warns that not everyone who claims to know Him will enter the kingdom of heaven. Jesus predicts that many will claim to prophesy, drive out demons, and perform miracles in His name, but He will disown those, reject them who practice lawlessness. (“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’”) The focus here is on having a genuine heart, a personal relationship with Jesus, and a lifestyle of obedience and repentance. Just as we nurture what is important to us, we must cultivate intimacy with Him through prayer, meditation on His Word, and obedience to Scripture.

As people’s hearts grow colder, Jesus warns that true discipleship isn’t about outward acts or empty claims but doing the will of God. It’s time to stop pretending; we are not fooling God. So, to ensure that Jesus, God in the flesh, knows us, we must follow biblical principles according to what is laid out in Scripture. In order for God to know us we must obey His commandments. Jesus is very clear in John 14 that obeying His commandments is indeed a sign that we love Him. (“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” John 14:15) We cannot get this wrong- obedience is not about perfection but about a heart that desires to follow Christ.

When God knows you, you will bear fruit. The New Testament mentions bearing fruit at least twenty-four times. Matthew 7:19-20 warns that a tree without good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. (“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:19-20) A life marked by the fruit of the Spirit shows that we are connected to Jesus, the true Vine as described in John 15:5. (“I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.”)

As true followers of Jesus, it is not enough to merely acknowledge Him with our lips. We must obey His commands, allow the Holy Spirit to grow and produce the fruit in our lives, and each of us must walk in a personal relationship with Him. Jesus desires a living, active relationship with His people, and those who legitimately follow Him will be known by Him.