Many people will say…………

“They profess to know God [to recognize, perceive, and be acquainted with Him], but deny and disown and renounce Him by what they do; they are detestable and loathsome, unbelieving and disobedient and disloyal and rebellious, and [they are] unfit and worthless for good work (deed or enterprise) of any kind.”                  Titus 1:16 AMP

There is nothing in this world as vital as really knowing God.

The people Paul had in mind professed to know God. The word "know" means more than merely believing in the existence of God or having some insight into his will. The word means to have full knowledge, that is, to know God in the forgiveness of sins, to walk with Him and have a heart knowledge of who He is.

Why is it that people profess to know God, but in works they deny Him? Their life shows that they really don't know God. Your life really does give evidence and your works tell whether you're telling the truth or not. It is not what you say – it is what you do, that tells whether or not you really are a Christian.  It is not what you know, it is what you do.

Literally millions of people profess to know God. They claim even to know Jesus Christ as Savior, but their lives are little changed for their discovery.

Mass evangelistic meetings invite tearful newcomers down their aisles, to know God, and to profess His Son Jesus Christ.  But do the majority of these people go away to live genuine Christian lives?

Is it possible to hold a counterfeit faith, to feel saved, yet still be lost in sin?

Though we ourselves profess to know God, how can we know for sure that we are not deceived, with a profession of faith based on superficial emotions, and not on the substance of God's Holy Word?

 “They claim to know God, but they deny God by the things that they do. They are detestable, disobedient, and disqualified to do anything good.”   Titus 1:16 CEB

Jesus warned of a specific class of people who claimed to be His followers, who even performed great works and miracles in His name.

“……….. He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’”   Luke 13:27 NKJV

Who are these "workers of iniquity," whom Jesus rejects so plainly?

These people certainly defend themselves: “….. you will say, ‘We ate and drank with You when You taught in our streets’”  Luke 13:26 NLV.

These people claim to come in the name of the Lord Jesus, no less. 

Of these, Jesus warns: “Many people will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not preach in Your Name? Did we not put out demons in Your Name?  Did we not do many powerful works in Your Name?’”  Matt. 7:22 NLV

“Then I will say to them in plain words, ‘I never knew you. Go away from Me, you who do wrong!’”  Matt. 7:23 NLV

Many people claim to be Christians, but their faith is counterfeit.  Many have prophesied "in the name of the LORD" (Deut. 18:22), but "they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD" Jer. 23:16 NKJV.

They look the part, even speak the part and often act the part, of a Christian.  But their faith is not real, not genuine.  Their faith is based upon feelings.   By their words and actions; “They keep saying to those who despise my word,
‘Don’t worry! The Lord says you will have peace!’ And to those who stubbornly follow their own desires, they say, ‘No harm will come your way!’” Jer. 23:17 NLT.

These are called "workers of iniquity."  They serve God in their own self will, "every man [doing] whatsoever is right in his own eyes" Deut. 12:8 AMP.

The problem of sin remains unresolved for these counterfeit Christians, because they refuse "to do that which is right in the eyes of the LORD thy God"  Deut. 13:18.

“They profess that they know God, but in works they deny him."  Titus 1:16

Of such counterfeit Christians, Jesus said, “These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.”  Matt. 15:8 NLT

How can we be sure we are not among these counterfeit Christians, who profess to know God, who prefer their own opinions to the Word of God?

How can we be assured to not be counted among "This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them" Jer. 13:10?