To Know

1 John 5:20:

“We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.”

As we began to unpack the subject of knowing God, I reminded you that there are 4 different words used to denote knowing in the English Bible, and we start by looking at the word “ginosko,” which is the experiential and relational knowledge. Experiential knowledge of God is crucial for a vibrant and authentic Christian life. It’s not enough to merely know about God intellectually. We are called to experience Him deeply and personally, allowing His presence and love to transform our lives.

In our text this morning, the first “know” (oida) refers to a certainty or assured knowledge about Jesus’ coming, while the second “know” (ginosko) emphasises a deeper, relational knowing of God.

Essentially, when it says, “We know that the Son of God has come,” it is saying that we are certain that Jesus came to us. But when it says, “so that we may know him who is true,” it refers to developing a true understanding and a deep, personal relationship with God. So, the first “know” is about being sure of the facts, while the second is about truly knowing God on a personal level. This teaches us two vital aspects of our faith. First, it assures us of the fundamental truth that Jesus, the Son of God, has come into the world. This knowledge provides a solid foundation for our belief and confidence in the gospel message. But the second calls us to move beyond this certainty to develop a deeper, personal relationship with God, inviting us not only to understand the facts about Jesus but to truly know Him in a relational and intimate way.

In our daily lives, this means that we should embrace the truth of Jesus’ arrival with assurance while actively seeking to deepen our relationship with God through continuous relational encounter. By doing so, we align our lives with both the certainty of God’s revelation and the depth of His personal relationship with us. Basically, the knowledge of God should lead to a deeper relationship and transformation. If our understanding of God does not inspire us to seek Him more passionately and live according to His will, then it falls short of its true purpose and benefit.

Jeremiah 9:23-24

“This is what the Lord says: ‘Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,’ declares the Lord.”