Growing up in God’s knowledge
One of the most important things for us as children of God is that we need to know more and continue to grow in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Likewise, we must be known to God. We’ll say, but how is this? If God knows all things…
«Thatthe God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.» (Eph 1.17)
"To walk worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the Knowledge of God.. » (Col 1.10)
"But grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and for ever. Amen.» (2 Pe 3.18)
All of us who have recognized the Lordship of Jesus Christ and were born again have known God. But it is not all yet, we need to keep moving forward, keep growing in His knowledge.
In the parable of talents, the day laborer did not truly know his lord, he had hardly a misguided knowledge of Him. That’s why it says:
«I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou didst not sow, and gathering where thou didst not scatter; and I was afraid...» (Mt 25.24-25)
So it’s not enough to have any knowledge about God. Many people have an intellectual knowledge of God, there are many believers and many people like this, they know that God exists, that he has power and so on. But this isn’t enough. It is necessary to know Him in person, to grow to know Him more in intimacy.
God knows his own
It seems a no-brainer to express this, for God is omniscient, he knows all things. And of course he knows us, too.
«Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: The Lord knows those who are his...» (2 Tim 2.19)
«But whoever loves Godisknown by God.» (1 Co 8.3)
«... but now that you know God -or rather are known by God-...» (Ga 4.9)
This is a beautiful thing, it fills us with joy to know that God knows each of us in a particular way. The Lord says,«I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.» (Is 43.1). He bore testimony of Job (Job 1.8). And about his Son he proclaimed in an audible voice:«This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!» (Mt 17.5).
I never met you.
But let’s look at these other passages that other people show us, whom God says has never known them.
«Not all who say to me, Lord, Lord, will enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, do we not prophesy in your name, and in your name we cast out demons, and in your name we performed many miracles? And then I'll declare to you: I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!» (Mt 7.21-23)
«Then came the other virgins, saying: Lord, lord, open us! But he answered, and said, I say unto you, that I don't know you.' (Mt 25.11-12)
But how can the Lord say I do not know you or have never known you? If God knows all things and all his creation, and he even knows the intentions of our hearts. What does this mean? Do you know us or don’t you know us?
Intimate knowledge
Let’s see what God means by these words. Let us therefore delve into the meaning of the word know and its use. We will present two examples of intimate and deep knowledge.
«Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain.» (Gn 4.1)
«And when Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and received his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.» (Mt 1.24-25)
There is an intimate knowledge here, which refers to marital intimacy, specifically sexual intercourse in marriage. Adam met Eve and she conceived her first child. Joseph and Mary were married, that is, engaged to marry and «but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.» (Mt 1.18). And he says joseph didn’t know her until she gave birth.
ἔγνω [egnó]
Let’s look at the passages that we have mentioned, comparing the use of the verb ‘know’ in their conjugations and meanings, according to the original Greek text and the base of its root: [egnó] .
The Lord Knows Us
- 2 Tim 2.19 [A; graduated : known]
- 1 Co 8.3 [A; egnóstai : is known]
- Ga 4.9 [A; gnosthentes : having been known]
The Lord never knew
- Mt 7.23 I met
Intimate marital knowledge
- Mt 1.25 [A; eginosken : knew] Joseph did not know Mary
Full knowledge
- Ef 1.17 [A; epignosei : full knowledge] epi: about, gnosei: knowing
- Col 1.10 [A; epignosin : precise knowledge]
Let’s be known to God
We need to grow in the knowledge of God. To know the Lord fully, with a more precise, more accurate, deeper and more intimate knowledge. For that we need, among other things, a spirit of wisdom and revelation, to seek it in prayer. And we need to walk more with Him, please Him in everything and bear fruit in every good deed. Greater intimate coexistence with God. To fall more in love with Him, to grow in our intimate relationship of love.
«... but now that you know God-or rather are known by God-...» (Ga 4.9)
We also need to be known to God. May He be pleased with us, as He is of His Son Jesus Christ (Mt 3:17; 17.5). May he come to bear witness of us as he one day did with his own Son. As he did with Job (Job 1.8). Or as the Lord Himself testified of the churches in Asia (Revelation chapters 2 and 3). Don’t let him kick us out of his presence by saying he doesn’t know us as foolish virgins. Or worse, like the day laborer who was known to his lord as the evil and negligent servant.
Let us therefore know God and be known to Him.
«So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.» (2 Pe 3.14)
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