What We're Known For

I'm convinced that growing old is living proof that our bodies aren't who we really are.

As I get older, experiencing this proof, there are two things I constantly think about. I'm closer to my departure from earth than I am to my arrival. And because I am, I want Jesus to fully know me.

Why do I say this? Doesn't He know me already?

"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.’"

Matthew 7:21-23

Jesus said that at the time of the end the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins who went out to meet the "bridegroom". We know the parable. Five were wise and prepared for his coming. Five were foolish and didn't prepare. When the bridegroom finally came at midnight, those prepared entered with him into the wedding feast. But those who weren't were shut out. Regarding the foolish virgins Jesus said...

"...Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’"

Matthew 25:11

All ten virgins knew of the bridegroom. All went out to meet him anticipating they would join him in the feast. Yet five weren't able to. He didn't know them.

Why did the bridegroom say that he didn't know them?

Jesus (the bridegroom) tells us why.

“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.”

Those who will enter the kingdom of heaven are those who do the Father's will. Doing His will is how Jesus "knows" us.

This leads to an all important question. What is the Father's will that He desires we do?

It's simple. The Father wants us to relate with Him through His Son.

Our being made able to enter the kingdom of heaven occurs in our union with Jesus. The work He does in us and through us in the bond of love enables us to enter. When we have love for Jesus, we have love for the Father and are able to fulfill His desire.

Jesus is the embodiment of the Father's desire for relationship with us. In Him we know the Father and the Father knows us. As Jesus said, "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30).

Love is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13). It's the fulfillment of all that God desires of us. So if we try to fulfill what He desires by means other than love, we're doing our own works in our own strength and fail to understand the heart of our salvation. We're saved to live in His love. We're on earth after we are saved so that we can share His love with one another and with those who don't yet know Him.

This is why you and I are here at this present moment in history.

Jesus warned that as this world nears its end most people's love will grow cold. But He didn't just leave it at that. He said something along with this to give us hope. It's the course of action we can take that will see us through to a glorious end.

"Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved."

Matthew 24:13

In the face of persecution by those with hardened hearts and cold love, we can endure to the end by keeping our love fervent for Jesus and our neighbor...and even those who persecute us.

During these past two years you've heard me speak a lot about love. It's been the theme of many editions of ENDURE. It has been for a reason. We're entering the time that Jesus spoke of when believers will increasingly be persecuted. The adversity we'll experience will greatly test our resolve to stand in our love for Him. All nations on earth will hate us as we do. Because of this, many will stop loving Jesus and go the way of the world.

It might be difficult for us to see how these things could happen with so many claiming we're about to enter a prosperous golden age of "peace and security" for the world. But they will. In truth, they're happening now.

As we abide in Him, the love we have for Jesus will enable us to endure to the end. Nothing else will. It's this love that will also reach the hearts of those the Father is giving to Jesus in this midnight hour, if we don't pull back from our calling.

This is why I want to share my deepest thoughts and struggles with Jesus now. I love Him. I want Him to do whatever He wants to do in and through me in the time I have left so when that day comes He will welcome me into His wedding feast...because He knows me.

I'd rather be despised and hated by the world for loving Jesus, yet be known by Him for this love.

Wouldn't you?

About the Author: Kevin Carmody and Tammii Carmody came to know Jesus as their Lord in the late 1970’s. During the years following, they participated in a number of short-term ministry trips to Central America and Western Europe while raising their two children. In the mid 1990’s, The Lord asked them to consider Abraham’s “other” descendants who lived in the Middle East...the Arab nations. In response, they resigned executive positions that they held in their occupations and joined ALL NATIONS in 2003 to receive ministry training as field workers. The Carmodys have lived and served in the countries of Oman, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and Germany, ministering to both Arabic and Farsi speaking peoples with the love and forgiveness of Jesus. They now reside in Arizona.

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