Revelation in the newspaper this week of the perks enjoyed by one of the secretaries at the recently collapsed insurance company HIH over recent months was the subject of conversation in the newsagent earlier this week. In remarking on the special privileges enjoyed by this woman, the comment was made that "It just goes to show, it's not what you know, but who you know that counts." It seemed truer than ever in this case. As I got into the car to drive away, I quietly reflected that this was the essence of the Christian gospel: "It's not what you know, but Who you know that counts!"

For the christian, we recognise that it is not our theology that matters so much, as knowing, and being known by Jesus. "My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand," says Jesus (John 10:27-28). Salvation comes from knowing Jesus. The gifts of God are received because we know Jesus, not because, by our own brilliance, we have some understanding of life figured out - something which the apostle Paul noted: "God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God" (1 Cor 1:27-29)

Salvation comes not from what you know, but from who you know. Do you know Jesus?

But the story does not end there. People often ask, "What if you have never had the opportunity to know Jesus?". Paul gives us the answer in Romans: "It is what you do with what you know that counts," as outlined in Romans 2. That is to say that each of us is to be judge on the basis of what we have seen, and what we have done with it. Those who have known more, will be more stringently scrutinised with that they have done with it.

So when it comes back to us who have heard much of the stories of Jesus, and been invited to participate fully in his work, then we are without excuse.

So, what are we doing with the things that Jesus has taught us, shown us, and lead us to? Our choices have lasting implications (to say the least!)