Being Known by God
Introduction
To be fully known can put you at peace and it can also be concerning. Don't we all want to be understood and known for who we are? Well, Yes and No.
To be fully known means that there is absolutely nothing that is hidden from another person. That person knows everything about you. You may have a person like that in your life. It's amazing to have someone in your life that fully knows you and still chooses to be with you. Many times we cover up our true selves out of fear of being rejected. We say, "if that person really knew what I think or what I do they wouldn't want to be my friend." So we are careful with what we say because we want to maintain a relationship but not entrust our deepest thoughts to that person.
This could be the greatest yearning of the Christian: to be fully known and fully loved. We think it's a risky proposition to be fully known until we find that person in our lives who we are able to share who we are, without the fear of being fully exposed.
Jesus is that person who knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows our thoughts, our intentions, our desires (both good and bad), our words, etc. Yet, Jesus is willing to die for me to be in a relationship with him.
Really knowing Jesus, is acknowledging that Jesus really knows you and still loves you. So when Jesus comes, he will call you by name and welcome you home.
To be fully known can put you at peace and it can also be concerning. Don't we all want to be understood and known for who we are? Well, Yes and No.
To be fully known means that there is absolutely nothing that is hidden from another person. That person knows everything about you. You may have a person like that in your life. It's amazing to have someone in your life that fully knows you and still chooses to be with you. Many times we cover up our true selves out of fear of being rejected. We say, "if that person really knew what I think or what I do they wouldn't want to be my friend." So we are careful with what we say because we want to maintain a relationship but not entrust our deepest thoughts to that person.
This could be the greatest yearning of the Christian: to be fully known and fully loved. We think it's a risky proposition to be fully known until we find that person in our lives who we are able to share who we are, without the fear of being fully exposed.
Jesus is that person who knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows our thoughts, our intentions, our desires (both good and bad), our words, etc. Yet, Jesus is willing to die for me to be in a relationship with him.
Really knowing Jesus, is acknowledging that Jesus really knows you and still loves you. So when Jesus comes, he will call you by name and welcome you home.
KNOW
- What does the parable of the Ten Virgins tell us about being KNOWN? Matthew 25:12
- How did being prepared to meet the bridegroom make a difference in being known? Matthew 25:6.
- How do "last minute preparations" mess with our relationships? Matthew 25:8-10
- How is it possible to be a Christian and even an active member of the church and still Jesus not know you? Matthew 7:21-23
- What's the relationship between doing God's will and being known by God? Matthew 7:21
- What are some key points in knowing the Holy Spirit? John 14:16-17
- How is allowing God to "help" you a sign of the Spirit dwelling in you? John 14:16-17
- How is it that being known by God so much better than being rejected by man? 1 Peter 2:4-5
GROW
Spiritual maturity is something we should all want. Some don't know how to get there. Some are afraid of getting there because they don't know what to expect. Some think it's unattainable so why try.
In the parable of the Ten Virgins we see the more mature ones make preparations in case the Lord took too long. They had not set dates or times as to when the Lord would come, they prepared in the event of his delay. When we depend on artificial, unbiblical timelines of when Jesus will come, we tend to get comfortable while we wait. We figure that we have it figured out so we only prepare for the immediate and not for the "just in case." The ladies didn't bring extra oil. They lacked the ingredients to keep the light on when it got dark. So when the time came for the Lord to come, they had to go back and get what was missing. They missed out on meeting the Lord because they trusted in their experience. They missed out on a relationship, in being known.
That's why the Matthew 7:21-23 story is so sad. Jesus didn't know who they were because they had built their relationship on doing for the Lord and being with the Lord. Now, I think that Jesus values what we do. Our being with Jesus comes first and our doing will flow from it.
"As activity increases, and men become successful in doing any work for God, there is danger of trusting to human plans and methods. There is a tendency to pray less, and to have less faith. Like the disciples, we are in danger of losing sight of our dependence on God, and seeking to make a savior of our activity. We need to look constantly to Jesus, realizing that it is His power which does the work. While we are to labor earnestly for the salvation of the lost, we must also take time for meditation, for prayer, and for the study of the Word of God. Only the work accomplished with much prayer, and sanctified by the merit of Christ, will in the end prove to have been efficient for good." The Desire of Ages, 362.
In conclusion, our growing in Christ is not measured by the increase in spiritual or church activities. It's measured by the time we spend with God in meditation, prayer and studying the Word of God.
In the parable of the Ten Virgins we see the more mature ones make preparations in case the Lord took too long. They had not set dates or times as to when the Lord would come, they prepared in the event of his delay. When we depend on artificial, unbiblical timelines of when Jesus will come, we tend to get comfortable while we wait. We figure that we have it figured out so we only prepare for the immediate and not for the "just in case." The ladies didn't bring extra oil. They lacked the ingredients to keep the light on when it got dark. So when the time came for the Lord to come, they had to go back and get what was missing. They missed out on meeting the Lord because they trusted in their experience. They missed out on a relationship, in being known.
That's why the Matthew 7:21-23 story is so sad. Jesus didn't know who they were because they had built their relationship on doing for the Lord and being with the Lord. Now, I think that Jesus values what we do. Our being with Jesus comes first and our doing will flow from it.
"As activity increases, and men become successful in doing any work for God, there is danger of trusting to human plans and methods. There is a tendency to pray less, and to have less faith. Like the disciples, we are in danger of losing sight of our dependence on God, and seeking to make a savior of our activity. We need to look constantly to Jesus, realizing that it is His power which does the work. While we are to labor earnestly for the salvation of the lost, we must also take time for meditation, for prayer, and for the study of the Word of God. Only the work accomplished with much prayer, and sanctified by the merit of Christ, will in the end prove to have been efficient for good." The Desire of Ages, 362.
In conclusion, our growing in Christ is not measured by the increase in spiritual or church activities. It's measured by the time we spend with God in meditation, prayer and studying the Word of God.
GO
How can you share these principles as you go about your week? We started off by talking about being known. How many people have a desire for such an experience? God offers this type of relationship. Fully known and fully loved.
We can tell people that doing things for God is not the same as doing want God actually wants us to do. In order for us to know what God actually wants we need to take time in God's word to know his will.
Share the Parable of the Ten Virgins and how depending on our efforts usually falls short. We can't depend on someone's faith. We need to have our own faith and experience.
Matthew 7:21-23 is a reality check on whether we serve God for God or for ourselves.
Ultimately, God's plan is make us part of his kingdom and to have the Spirit of God living in us.
We can tell people that doing things for God is not the same as doing want God actually wants us to do. In order for us to know what God actually wants we need to take time in God's word to know his will.
Share the Parable of the Ten Virgins and how depending on our efforts usually falls short. We can't depend on someone's faith. We need to have our own faith and experience.
Matthew 7:21-23 is a reality check on whether we serve God for God or for ourselves.
Ultimately, God's plan is make us part of his kingdom and to have the Spirit of God living in us.
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