Bible Question:
Okay we now have scriptural proof you can know God but not be saved. Now can we know God and perhaps even think we are serving him but not know Jesus? |
Bible Answer: Greetings Ed! I believe the majority of the Jewish race at the time of Christ would fit this description. They knew God and thought they were serving Him, but rejected Christ; hence, they were lost. Consider Matt. 7:21-23: Mat 7:21-23 Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' (23) Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' If we don't know Jesus, we are lost no matter how much we might think we know about God. Act 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." My understanding is that general revelation alone is not sufficient for salvation. It might be enough to open the door of someone's heart, much like Abraham who was looking for a city whose builder and maker was God (Heb. 11:10). Abraham did not know enough about God to be saved, but he knew enough about God to be interested and God revealed Himself to Abraham. Thus, in the case of Nineveh, God (wanting to spare Nineveh) had to send Jonah to preach repentance to them. This is the driving motivation behind all missions work. Rom 10:12-15 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, (13) for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (14) How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? (15) And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |