"I never knew you"

Answers (by Joy Cowley: Aotearoa Psalms, NZ)

Dear Friend,

I remember the time

when I thought I had all the answers.

I was so sure of my knowledge about You.

I read books of great teachings,

listened to fine sermons

exchanged views of Scripture

discussed, argued, scorched others

with my enthusiasm.

How necessary it was

to pour all experience of You

into a tight container of words!

All the time, dear Friend,

You smiled and led me on,

over the walls of imagery,

through fences of ideas,

gently showing me that walls and fences

have a rightful place in journey,

that they are there for support and shelter

and that when it's time to move on,

they will be no obstacle to progress.

I am still addicted to words

and I still need to hold You

in ideas and images,

though loosely now, in an open web.

But no longer do I have any answers.

You, dear Friend,

have taken away the questions.

Matthew 7 : 21 - 29 This passage sounds harsh but I believe if we can hear in it Jesus' heartfelt concern about disciples growing presumptuous about their faith, it will seem easier to appreciate. It is easy for Christians to comfort ourselves that we have an insurance policy to heaven, and not bother to seek a true relationship with the very One who has given us that assurance. It is easy to think that we know God and he knows us just because we call on his name and keep busy doing things "in his name".The poet above earnestly seeks God but gets caught in the illusion of believing that he can be contained in the many words we use to describe him. Our many words seem to give us a sense of control. They may give us a false sense that we 'know' our God and that we 'know' what pleases him. Associated with the many words are the images, some helpful, some not so helpful, that we have of our God. Well, here Jesus really pushes us out of our comfort zones by declaring that not all who call "Lord, Lord" nor all who do things (e.g. teaching, miracles, exorcisms) "in God's name" are assured that their 'insurance policy' will be cashed in the end!

Yes, this seems 'harsh' but perhaps it makes sense. God may say "I never knew you" to those who never actually had a personal relationship with him. We may be able to use a person's name and even do things under the illusion that we are pleasing the person, yet have never personally related to that person. This certainly means that we cannot be presumptuous when it comes to our faith. Salvation is by faith and is not earned, but faith does not rule out effort. Jesus desires obedience, and that we earnestly seek to know him, in order to do what he wants, rather than what we ourselves decide to do in his name. A difficult passage, unless we are willing to come before the Lord in humility and repentance. May we ask him to open our hearts, our minds, our ears to his voice and strengthen our wills to obey him.