Acknowledge
To “acknowledge” means to admit the truth or existence of something, to express gratitude or recognition , to show notice of something or to confirm receipt of it. “Whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will also acknowledge him/her before My Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before men, I will disown him/her before My Father in heaven.” — Jesus. ( Matthew 10:12-13 ) We say, and hear, things like this: “Yeah I know God !”…but does God know “you” ( Matthew 7:22-23 ) ? “ Naw…i useta go t’ church, but I ain’t found one I like.” … but invite em to a party, the club, the camp, the ballfield, the golfcourse or the lake, and they’ll run over you gettin there. We DO what we WANT to do. I’ve even seen folks, “in church”, concentrating on their phones ( or watches ) while they should be praising or worshipping through listening to the message ! It’s no different than a young person coloring or talking amongst themselves while attending a “worship” service. If we’re not giving the Lord our full, undevided attention and respect, we might as well not be there. It’s a blatant disregard for HIM and a poor example of Jesus Christ. And, it’s an outright un-acknowledgement of Him. When we are given opportunities to serve in Jesus’ name, speak the truth of His Word, testify of His goodness and witness about the blood-bought, life-changing amazingness of His grace, and fail to follow through with these divine appointments, we have failed to acknowledge Him before men ! And what did Jesus say ? If yall won’t acknowledge me before others, I ain’t gon’ acknowledge yall before My Father.” Wow ! That would be detrimental ! Without that relationship with Jesus, we won’t have access to the Father or benefit from His salvation from sin … the penalty of which is “death” ! “If you are ashamed of me and My words here on earth, I will be ashamed of you before the Father” ( Luke 9:26 ). I’m just a simple man ‘ hails from Star, Ms., but it makes more sense to me to acknowledge Him while I’m able … every chance i get ! How bout you ? I guess, if you’ve never really received Him, you wouldn’t have any reason to acknowledge Him. Good gifts are worth acknowledging.