Who Knows Who

In business you often hear the saying, "It's not what you know but who you know." The idea is that who you know may be more important for your success than what you know. But it’s not just enough to ‘know’ the person that can help. The person with the power has to also know you.

Who knows you has significance in the spiritual realm too. In Acts 19 we learn how some people were trying to drive out evil spirits by invoking the name of Jesus over a demon-possessed man. An evil spirit answered them and said, "Jesus I know…but who are you?" The possessed man then proceeded to beat those that used the name of Jesus improperly. The demons were able to see in the spiritual realm that the people had no connection or relationship with Jesus.

The same story could be told today. Many people know Jesus but too few are known by Him. People profess His name with their lips but not with their hearts. Many are champions of charitable causes or do wonderful things in the name of Jesus, but without a true connection to Him. This includes many people who are religious. Churchgoers, elders, deacons, and even pastors can know Jesus, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they have a relationship with Him. Jesus warned that not everyone who ‘knows’ Him will join Him in heaven. “Many will say to me on that day, ‘…did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me…!’” (Matthew 7:22-23). Can you imagine their surprise? This is very disturbing and plainly it is not enough just to know Jesus. He must know you! There is a critical difference. In fact, according to scripture the demons even ‘believe in’ God (James 2:19) but we know where they will spend eternity.

Pastor Betters stressed in his sermon the importance of having a relationship with God. Do you have a relationship with Him? Is God’s Spirit living inside of you? The Apostle Paul recognized that false assurance and self-deception were potentially hazardous to the church. He instructed the church in Corinth to be on guard. “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith…Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?”(2 Corinthians 13:15).

How do you recognize that Christ Jesus is in you? Scripture answers, “…those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires” (Romans 8:5). What is your mind set on? What drives you? What does your heart crave? Is Christ the obvious center of you life?

In both the business and spiritual world it’s not who you know but who knows you that really counts. Who knows you in business is important for only a short time. Who knows you spiritually is important for all eternity. Does Jesus know you?

Bill McConomy