Daily Devotional November 15 - Don't Get Mad Because Religion Has Made Things Complicated

"The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him." Nahum 1:7

How do you know if the Lord knows you trust in Him? Wouldn't it be sad to go through your whole life and come to the end and find out that what you have done, you have done on your own and that your relationship with Jesus was superficial, that you were never born again and that your name is not listed in the book of life? And then in your anger you might start spouting off, "Lord, Lord, have I not prophesied in Thy name? And in Thy name have cast out devils? And in Thy name done many wonderful works? Then Jesus says, "And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you: Depart from Me, ye that work iniquity." Matthew 21:22b-23

There's only one way to be sure that the LORD knows you. But first here are many ways that do not determine that the Lord knows you:
You have a spiritual interest and you are fascinated with Hollywood's version of angels and demons.
You donate to quasi-church or para-church organizations.
You are fair to your employers.
You do not steal from your employer.
You go to church on Easter and sometimes Christmas.
You go to church every week.
You speak in other tongues.
You tithe and give money to charities.
You have been baptized in water.
You are a member of the church, any church.
You have your pastor over for dinner.
You are open minded and don't mind too much if people at work talk about Jesus.
You were born in America.
You were born to a Christian family.
You were Christened as a baby.
You were Confirmed as a teen/adult.
You were Bar-mitzvah'd as a teen/adult.
You are spiritually minded and find many similarities between all world religions.
You take in exchange students.
You consider yourself a really good person.
You pray.
You read your Bible.

So you think I am going to far with this? You might be right, but it is so important to have a clear understanding of what God accepts as knowing you, and I feel compelled to make this most profound of all concepts, as simple as possible.

You must trust that Jesus is the only way to God and that what Jesus did on the cross for you is the only thing you will ever have to do to be known by God.

This is hard for the cultural Christian who has been brought up in a Christian family and come through the ranks of a church, because most of our church leaders teach this truth plus a great many things makes you a Christian. You won't be known for your great works. You will be known for your association with Christ, by faith, only.