My dear friend, Pastor Ted Jolls, has served in very rural communities for the more than twenty years I have known him. Pastor Ted is a godly, humble man who loves helping people and loves telling the gospel story.
A few years ago, I asked Pastor Ted to come share from his heart at a lunch we host during the Independence Hunt weekend (for deer hunters with disabilities). During his talk, Pastor Ted shared a great illustration about his relationship with former president Gerald Ford. He said he had heard Mr. Ford speak several times, and even got to shake his hand at a rally in Grand Rapids. He could say he knew Gerald Ford. “But,” Pastor Ted admitted, “if you asked Gerald Ford, ‘do you know Ted Jolls?’, he would say, ‘Who?’”
His point got right to the heart of things. How many people would say they know God, but it’s all been just from a distance? They have a head knowledge about Him, not a heart knowledge. Maybe they will point to some good works and say, “Lord, Lord, look at all things we’ve done in Your name.” But if there’s no personal in faith in Christ, Jesus will say, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness” (Matthew 7:23).
It’s not about doing enough good, like going to church. As Pastor Ted says, “being in church doesn’t make you a Christian, any more than being in a garage makes you a car.” On the other hand, those who come with nothing but faith in the crucified, risen Savior will find comfort in Jesus’ words in John 10:27— “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” If your faith is resting in Jesus alone, rest assured: He knows you.
