Let's consider another question. What do you "think about" when you think about Jesus? A. W. Tozer states that the answer to this question is quite simply "the most important thing about us". It is not difficult to see why. How we answer it will have a great impact on the course of our lives. If He is our King, Lord and Savior we will respond in one particular way. If to us, He is merely a great historical figure, we will live our lives accordingly. And if for us, He is relegated to the periphery of culture where only the more "religious" or "simple-minded" offer any regard, He will be easily ignored.
He is aware of this, of course. He said that there will be many who turn to Him and call Him "Lord" once the curtain is rolled back on this world and faith becomes sight. His response to them will not be pleasant and interestingly enough, it appears they will be of the more faithful sort (Matt. 7:21-23). Could it be that though they served "Jesus", it was not the Jesus of the Bible? Perhaps their Jesus was one made in their own image. I often watch people live in a such way that brings obvious dishonor to the name of Jesus, as they blatantly disobey His Word and never sense any regret for doing so...never feeling the godly sorrow that might lead to repentance.
Some have even developed an unholy vocabulary that helps to dismiss sin in light of this new, more tolerant Jesus of theirs. Those with anger-management issues are simply "high-strung". The prideful are called "self-confident". The greedy are known as "go-getters". Day in and day out, they disregard Him yet claim to know Him. Perhaps they imagined someone else when they thought about Jesus, and created an idol. Giving it the name "Jesus" they casually serve it and, as idols tend to do, it does not bother them when they go astray. When they want to do things that violate the Word of God, it encourages situational ethics.
"Forgive. But only if the offending party asked for forgiveness and then only if they really meant it"..."Don't worry about that temper of yours. God gave you a short fuse." ... "Give to the poor, but only if you are sure they will not misuse the money." This is the unwise counsel of an inanimate god. How convenient...and tragic. He has shown us Who He is in His Word, and rather than tell the Bible to fit into our pattern of life, we must wrap our lives around it daily. We must live out our faith in Jesus. Then when the sun sets on this life and we stand before the King of Kings, He will not say, "Depart from me." He will declare, "Well done".