The Importance of Knowing Jesus

Does Jesus Know You or do you just think you know Jesus?

The following is an outline of a study on Knowing Jesus. I am particularly interested in the importance of knowing Jesus since the Lord spoke of this as a requirement to enter into eternal life with him. It is sad that I have never heard a sermon on such an important topic but I have studied it myself and this posts lays out my understanding of the truth. I believe and I pray I am wrong, that the majority of professing Christians do not know Christ. This includes many that read their bibles, go to church regularly, sing in the choir, tithe, do mission trips etc. Many do these things to be seen and approved by men and if so they are dead works in God’s eyes. We should be seeking to please God and ultimately to know Him on an intimate basis.

Let me first begin by stating that knowing Jesus is the same as knowing the truth. Jesus told us that we shall know the truth and the truth shall set us free. Later Jesus tells us that if the Son sets you free you shall be free indeed. Pilate asked Jesus what is truth when “it” (Jesus) was standing right in front of him. Truth is not Bible knowledge of facts, figures, doctrines, or history. Jesus Christ is THE TRUTH. The bible further says that truth comes by Revelation from God not by us being bible gurus. I finally realized that I yearned for the real truth, not the approval of my friends, family or co-workers; but to really know Christ and His teachings. I have come along way in a fairly short period of time but beleive me, I have much to learn about truth which means I have much to learn about Jesus. I pray he will continue to reveal himself to me. The writer of Hebrews tells us that God is a rewarder of those that diligently seek him. Let’s seek the Lord!

To Know Truth, We Must Know Jesus. Jesus said some most amazing things about the implications of knowing him.

In the parable of the ten virgins the left out virgins plead “Lord Lord, open up for us.” But he answered, “Truly I say to you, I do not know you.” Mt. 25:12

Jesus in defining who will inherit the kingdom of God upon his second coming warns us “then I will declare to them, I never knew you, depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.” Mt. 7:23

In describing his true followers Jesus said: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” John 10:27

Again in Luke, the bible shows us people that confess Jesus as Lord being denied entry into heaven. “Lord, open up to us!” then He will answer and say to you, “I do not know where you are from, Depart from Me all you evildoers” Luke 13:23

Let me remind you of another point I have been speaking of in my blogs. Jesus never said anywhere in scripture “depart from me you that DO NOT BELIEVE”. He told those denied entrance into the kingdom of God that they practiced lawlessness, did evil, and that THEY DID NOT KNOW HIM; not that they didn’t believe in Him. So those that will ultimately go to hell includes all unbelievers be definition but also those that say they believe but that actually are evildoers and practicioners of lawlessness. These are the very same people Jesus is speaking of when he says he doesnt know these people and they will be condemmed on the last day.

IT IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL THAT WE KNOW JESUS. IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO SIMPLY PROCLAIM HIM AS LORD. THE MOST IMPORTANT STATEMENT JESUS MADE ABOUT ETERNAL LIFE, THAT IS TOTALLY CONSISTENT WITH THE WHOLE OF SCRIPTURE IS IN MATTHEW 7:21.

“Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord, will inherit the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, I NEVER KNEW YOU. Away from me you who practice lawlessness (sin).” Mt. 7:21

I looked up in my concordance what the word “many” meant in Mat 7:21. It said the “greater preponderance of, the majority”. This means that Jesus said that when he comes again, the majority of people that call him Lord will be told HE NEVER KNEW THEM. It is imperative that we KNOW him.

As I have written in my other of my posts, many are sadly decieved and are being taught error in the church. To tell people they only need to say a single prayer one time in their life that appoints Jesus as their Lord and Savior and then they are saved is not only NOT SCRIPTURAL, it ignores the very clear teachings of Jesus and the Apostles about true saving faith. Jesus is the Lord and Savior of all people already — but some may reject him, continue to call him Lord yet choose to live in the world and not in him. I apologize if this offends some, but it is the truth as the rest of scripture (the whole counsel of God) makes clear. I hope my boldness may inspire a few to examine themselves and scripture and come to a true saving faith. Jesus, Paul, Peter and others warned us repeatedly in the bible that in the latter days, error would creep in and many would be led astray. My eyes have been opened to that very horror.

So, How do we know that we KNOW him?
1 John 2:3-4 By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep his commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him”, and does not keep his commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him.
1 John 3:24 Those who obey his commands live in him and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us; we know it by the Spirit he gave us.
1 John 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him
1 John 4:8 Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love

You can’t claim to know Christ and not love Him, you can’t love Him and not follow Him. Is the faith of many today false? I am not a judge, as only God can know someones heart, but I do believe the complete truth is not being taught. Even Jesus said there was such a thing as false faith.

Mat 15:8-9 THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. ‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.

I pray that all will seek a deep intimate relationship with Jesus. When you have a close relationship with someone you REALLY know them, they are not just a casual acquaintance. I have concerns that many (meaning the vast majority) of the 80% of Americans that call themselves Christians do not really know Jesus and Jesus in his own words said that would be the case. I call all of you to be bold and encourage others to seek first His kingdom believing his promise that all things would then be added unto us.

May God Bless You Richly!

James 1:22 “Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourself. Do what it says.”