Because I'm a Christian, not many things in scripture scare me. But there are a few verses that give me the hives. One is Matthew 7:21–23. Did you know that there will be many who are told by Jesus, "I never knew you," and will not be granted entrance to Heaven? He's going to say this to many ... who claim that they knew him and did good deeds in his name.

I fit this description! So do many of my friends and family. Who could these many possibly be? Am I among them?

Does He know me? Do I know Him?

Really know him?

How can I know?

1 John 2:3 says that if we know Him, we obey His commands, and Psalm 9:10 says those who know his name will put their trust in him.

Two litmus tests right there in black and white holy writ: obedience and trust.

I'm feeling only slightly better now.

Certainly David knew Him; he's the man after God's own heart. What light can he shed on knowing God?

In Psalm 63:1-2 David says that:

• all besides Him must be dry and weary land.
• my flesh must yearn for only Him.
• His lovingkindness is better than life.

Better than life! Did you hear that? That's quite the exchange right there: His lovingkindness for my life. I'm pretty sure that means I (the old sinful nature) die and God gets Himself another brand new throne. And my response is supposed to be that I praise Him, and bless Him, and lift my hands to His name. (vs. 3–4)

I'm feeling much worse again, itching all over — hives.

Honestly? I have more information than true relation. I have a head full of knowledge and a heart afraid of being fully engaged. I have righteous words without quick obedience and complete trust. Sure, I have a measure of trust and obedience, but I'd characterize them as guarded and hesitant.

Is it enough?

God is enthroned in heaven but not near enough in my heart. I know this because I tremble to answer these questions:

• Do I love what He loves?
• Hate what He hates?
• Does my life reflect His desires or mine?

Often I feel that the Flesh (the old sinful nature) is not dead at all, but dragging around the new creature like a ball and chain as it goes about its old (only slightly modified) life. It's supposed to be the other way around. In fact, the old nature's supposed to be dead and buried. Gone for good. Decomposing. Stinking up the past, not the present and future. 

However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again? ~Galatians 4:8–9

No wonder there will be so many. And how I want to be among the few.

It begs the question, "Do you know Him?" (Do I?)