1 John 2:3-5 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him”, but does not do what he commands is a liar and the truth is not in him. God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him. Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did."
Do you know or do you know?
Years ago this question was asked in a study and it was like an epiphany for me. When you stop and really think about the question, the difference in the meaning of the word ‘know’ is so obvious.
I might have met you in passing or through a mutual acquaintance so yes, I know you. But is that the same meaning as when I say, “ I know my husband of 43 years”? I knew him after the evening we met 46 years ago, but is that the same way I know him today?
The same question is even more applicable when we ask, do you know Jesus? One might respond, yes, I know of Jesus or about Jesus. But is that the same as yes, I know Jesus? We can know Jesus by having read or heard about him during Christmas time or through songs we learned as a child like ‘Jesus Loves Me’. But this type of knowledge of Him is different than when we know Him through a relationship with Him, a relationship that grows every moment when we strive to follow Him, to learn His Word, to be more like Him. In the 1990’s, a big trend for youth was wearing the colorful rubber bracelets embossed with W W J D. (What Would Jesus Do.) A constant reminder to stop and think before responding or reacting. But if we “know” Him, must we wear a physical item to prompt us to think about Him or His teachings throughout the day? And, more importantly, if we claim to know Jesus, yet our actions and words do not demonstrate such a heart of knowing Him, then we are liars to ourselves and others.
In Scripture, the “heart” is considered the very center and core of life. To know Jesus in our heart is the type of knowing that He desires of us and He becomes the very center and core of our life. So our prayer for each other should be one of coming to know God through His Son, Jesus Christ, through His death on the cross and resurrection. In this way, we come to know salvation and can then strive to be like Jesus, knowing that there is forgiveness when we fail.
- Written by our Lighthouse Mentors