Have you ever had an "AH" moment? It is when you suddenly the "light" turns on and you have a clearer understanding of something. I had one of those moments Sunday as the preacher was teaching on Matthew 7. I have read and preached this passage many times but I received fresh insight to a question I have asked myself many times. Jesus was teaching that there are only two roads (choices) we can make in this life: The broad way and the narrow way. The broad way leads to destruction while the narrow road leads to life.

Jesus made it very clear that the majority will choose the broad way that leads to destruction (hell). Why would any sane person make that choice? No one would knowingly, consciously choose to go to hell. So, why are the majority of people choosing destruction instead of life?

The answer is simple (how did I miss it?) People are deceived into believing that "their" preparation for heaven is adequate. But the tragedy is they are mistaken. On the day of judgement there is going to be the shocking revelation that they were wrong and they will miss heaven. In their dismay, they will defend themselves my telling God about all they have done in their lives to merit heaven. "I went to church every Sunday. I tithed faithfully. I taught Sunday School. I prayed. I read the Word...." But God will deny He even knows them. Mt. 7:21-23

In a nutshell, my AH! moment is this: Close proximity to Jesus does not necessarily mean having a relationship with Jesus. These people had probably been "with" Jesus and heard His teachings, and seen His miracles. They might have eaten the loaves and fishes that Jesus multiplied. But being around spiritual things does not mean you have a relationship with Jesus! When Jesus said "I never knew you" He was saying I never had a relationship with you.

Nothing is more important in this life than having a relationship with Jesus Christ. Nothing! 

"...God has given men eternal life and this real life is to be found only in his Son. It follows naturally that any man who has genuine contact with Christ has this life; and if he has not, then he does not possess this life at all." 1 John 5 Phillips translation.