GROWING SEEDS: Does God Know You?

An ABC News poll says that 83% of Americans see themselves as Christians.  That's baffling to me since our country is in the desperate mess it's in.  With state(s) legalizing the death of children as easily as they pass a subway tax (late-term abortion), and 37 states legalizing same-sex marriages, not to mention the second state has just made it a requirement to teach our young children the history of LGBT, it all leaves me scratching my head.

But then I realize, belief in Christ....without following Him....is simply belief.  Anyone can believe in God; even those who despise God can believe He exists.  But there's a big difference in saying we believe in God and living out that belief.  The Bible is abundantly clear we must believe AND follow; but before we can follow, we first must be saved.

About a year ago, I was watching a movie on Pureflix; a Christian version of Netflix.  Although I don't recall the name of the movie, I do remember it saying this:

"Wouldn't it mean everyone would go to Heaven and no one would go to hell if Christ died for a world of sinners?  Well, not exactly.  If I was handed a bottled water, I'm still thirsty unless I open it and drink it.  It's not enough to just have the water in my hand and made available to me, but I have to do my part and drink it in order to quench my thirst.  The sacrifice of the cross was like God handing me the water.  Unless I do my part by opening and drinking it, I'll still be thirsty.  I have to ACCEPT and DRINK the water."

"In the same way, faith (belief) by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

James 2:17

In other words, we're not saved by our good works; but if we are saved, we will do good works.  It's virtually impossible for us not to. Make sense? 

My fear is that many of the 83% of Americans in the ABC poll has made being a Christian less about loving God and more about knowing OF Him.  Which leads us to the scariest verse in the Bible:

"On that last day, many will call me Lord.  They will say, "Lord, Lord, by the power of Your name, we spoke for God.....

Then I will tell those people clearly, 

'Get away from Me, you people who do wrong.  I never knew you."

Matthew 7:22-23