I Heard of This Jesus

I heard of this Jesus
When I was a child
But He seemed too boring
And my ways were wild

I heard of this Jesus
While in my teens
But the Bible was ancient
Who knows what it means!

I heard of this Jesus
When older in age
His religion seemed cool
Maybe I’d try His stage

So I dabbled a little
And practiced a bit
I thought I’d get by
With my wisdom and wit

I thought if I said things
That “good Christians” say
I could slide into Heaven
And do it my way

But one day I died
(As most people do)
And found myself standing
With familiar folks, too

“Aha!” did I think
“This is Heaven, I’ll bet”
But then the Great Judge appeared
All was not over yet

He opened a scroll
And reading the list
Mentioned names of the saints
(And some others I missed)

When He got to my friends’ names
I shivered with glee
“Look! They’re going in!
And soon ‘twill be me!”

So I moved up the line
And patiently stood
Before the God whom I’d claimed
Was “the greatest” and “good”

Then I watched in pure shock
As His eyes scanned the list
He summoned Hell’s doorman
And I was dismissed

“But wait, sir!” I cried
“Surely I’m written there!”
“I did what You mentioned,
and they said that You’re fair!”

“Do you know of fairness?” asked He
Looking me in the eye
“I sent My Son to earth,
for your sins to die.”

“All I asked of you,”
“Was a surrendered heart,
to follow My word
And to never depart.”

“But you did things your way,
Vainly using my name
You never chose My love
To cast away all your shame.”

I stood there in silence
He was right, this I knew
Then He said, “Depart!
I never knew you.”

“Therefore, since the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.”
– Hebrews 4:1-2

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” – Hebrews 4:12-13