I Never Knew You

 Matthew 7 Continued

I Never Knew You

Do you find yourself easily resting your head upon the shoulder of a stranger? Do you enjoy hugging people you've never met while in line at the bank? The answer is a resounding no, because we do not readily show affection to people with whom we have no connection or history. An embrace from one you trust and love carries a lovely weight, reaffirming the special connection you both share.

This is why some fall away from God, they pursue Him with mechanical religious activity to their own frustration and are surprised by His lack of showing up in their lives.

Jesus does not simply want your prayers, as action, nor your song-singing, as a routine, He desires what He died for: your heart, mind and soul. Unfortunately, drifting away from Jesus, and into rote, doesn't have to occur in some far off land, it happens Sunday after Sunday in well-upholstered pews. As a beloved preacher once noted, its not the location of your butt every week, but the location of your heart.

Jesus warns us about people who lead solely by their actions: they're prophesying and casting out demons like nobody's business. They are leading...the only problem is they think Jesus will follow them. Wrong...Jesus doesn't follow.

Jesus asks us to come to Him in humility: as children (Matthew 19:14) and friends (John 15:15).

Questions:

1. How do you think someone could attend church and not let God get to their heart?
2. Have you ever experienced that?
3. What do you do if you want to get to know someone better? How can we get to know God better?
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