There are many now and in all past ages who think that they are followers of Jesus who actually have no idea what that might mean. Jesus addressed this issue in Matthew 7:20-23, “You will know them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he 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?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness. (NASU) If you think bringing this up is being judgmental perhaps you are right.
If you think bringing this up is being unloving, you could not be further from the truth. I can think of no greater tragedy than stepping into eternity thinking that I knew Jesus and finding out that I did not. Surely being warned about that is the greatest human act of mercy, grace, and love that could possibly be done. The stakes could not be higher.
Jesus clearly indicated in this passage that fruits of righteousness were surefire evidence that we belong to Him and that fruits of unrighteousness are certain evidence that we do not know Him. Surely we can learn something from the Twelve concerning knowing Jesus as Savior. I certainly believe in the free will of man and that man can reject the Savior, but John 15 plainly states that Jesus chose us and not the other way around. Praise the Lord and hallelujah! The record in the Gospels gives further evidence of that (Matthew 4, Mark 1). Furthermore, Luke 6 records an equally important point. Jesus spent a whole night in prayer before calling the Twelve out from among the larger group of disciples. Praise God that Jesus has called us out of the world and unto Himself.
In Luke 14 Jesus pointed out that anyone who would follow Him must be willing to give up all family relationships as well as forgoing all perceived personal rights or privileges. Jesus continued on saying that any prospective follower must count the cost. He finished by saying, “So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.” (Luke 14:33, NASU) Matthew 4 and Mark 1 illustrate the principle that leaving everything is a requirement of following Jesus. Jesus called out Simon, Andrew, John, and James in Mark 1:17-20, “And Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him.” (NASU) Certainly we haven’t touched on repentance, faith, etc. but surely we can see that we cannot possibly believe that we are following Jesus unless we have been willing to give up everything else to pursue Him.
Paul certainly understood this truth, “Philippians 3:8-9, “I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him.” (NASU) Hallelujah! What a privilege!