What does it mean to know Jesus?
Knowing Jesus is not just knowing about Him, but having a personal relationship with Him. This involves several key elements:
Trusting in Jesus as Lord and Savior: To know Jesus, we must first believe in Him and trust in His death on the cross as the payment for our sins. We acknowledge we are sinners in need of salvation that only comes through Jesus (Romans 3:23; 6:23; John 14:6).
Following Jesus’ teachings: Once we trust Jesus as Savior, we are called to follow Him as Lord. This means shaping our lives around His teachings in the Bible and what He has commanded (Matthew 28:19-20). Our obedience demonstrates our love for Christ (John 14:15).
Walking in fellowship with Jesus: Knowing Christ involves an ongoing relationship of prayer, worship, fellowship with other believers, reading God’s Word, and being led by the Holy Spirit. Our intimacy with Jesus grows as we seek Him daily (Philippians 3:10).
Bearing fruit for God’s kingdom: As we walk with Jesus, our lives are transformed to be more like Him. The Holy Spirit works in us, producing love, joy, peace and other godly traits (Galatians 5:22-23). We live to bless others and advance God’s work on earth.
Looking forward to eternity with Jesus: Our hope in Christ includes the promise of resurrection and eternal life with Him. One day we will see Jesus face to face in heaven and enjoy Him forever (1 John 3:2-3).
In summary, knowing Jesus is not about religion or rituals. It is a vibrant, personal connection and friendship with the Son of God that transforms every aspect of our lives. He graciously invites everyone into this saving relationship by God’s grace through faith.
Trusting in Christ Alone for Salvation
Coming to know Jesus starts with recognizing that we are sinners in need of salvation that only He can provide. The Bible states clearly that all people have sinned and face judgment, but Jesus Christ came to deliver us (Romans 3:23-26). When we repent of our sins and believe Jesus died on the cross for our forgiveness, we are saved by God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Our good works cannot earn salvation. We must fully trust in what Jesus did for us on the cross and receive Him as Lord of our lives (John 1:12-13). This saving faith is a gift from God, not something we can manufacture on our own (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation comes only through personal faith in Jesus Christ.
Following Jesus as Lord Through Obedience
After receiving Christ as Savior, He invites us into a life following Him as Lord. Jesus said that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments (John 14:15). Part of knowing Christ is obeying what He teaches in Scripture and submitting to Him as the authority over our lives.
This means aligning our priorities, choices, schedule, use of resources, relationships, and everything else to Jesus’ way of life described in the Bible. We quit living for selfish gain and begin actively loving God and serving others out of gratitude for our salvation. Our obedience, while imperfect, gives evidence of a transformed heart.
Walking in Intimate Fellowship with Christ
Knowing Jesus involves pursuing an intimate, growing relationship with Him. We cultivate our personal connection with Christ through practices like prayer, Bible reading, worship, fellowship with other believers, confession of sins, praise, and communion. Jesus compared it to a vine and branches, describing how our lives are intertwined with His (John 15:1-11).
As we walk closely with Jesus, we gain spiritual strength to turn from sin and become more like Him. Our fellowship with Christ grows through daily communication with Him and seeking His presence. We were created for friendship with Jesus.
Bearing Spiritual Fruit Through Abiding in Christ
According to Jesus, abiding in close relationship with Him enables us to bear good spiritual fruit in our lives (John 15:1-8). As we walk in intimacy with Christ, the Holy Spirit develops His character in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Our lives display the reality of knowing Jesus through expressing these godly virtues. We reflect the light of Jesus, fulfilling our purpose to glorify God with our lives (Matthew 5:16). Our fruitfulness comes not through human striving, but from allowing the Spirit to transform us.
Looking Forward to Eternity with Jesus
Part of knowing Jesus involves looking forward to an eternity spent together. Jesus promised His followers He is preparing a place for us in heaven where we will dwell with Him forever (John 14:2-3). Our earthy lives are brief compared to eternity with Christ.
The hope Jesus gives includes raising our bodies to new life just as He was resurrected (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). We can look ahead to a perfect existence where sin, pain and death are banished in the glory of God’s presence. This eager anticipation fuels us to live each day for Him.
In summary, truly knowing Jesus launches a lifelong journey of following Him, pursuing intimate fellowship with Him, becoming like Him, and longing for eternity together. A relationship with Jesus brings profound purpose, meaning, security and destiny. God invites us to experience the abundant life only found in Christ.
Repenting of Sin to Receive Forgiveness in Christ
An essential aspect of knowing Jesus is repenting of our sins. Repentance means turning away from our sinful thoughts and actions to follow God’s ways. All people have sinned and fall short of God’s perfect standard (Romans 3:23). Sin separates us from a holy God and leads to death (Romans 6:23).
But Jesus’ death on the cross bridged the gap between sinful humanity and a holy God. When we repent and believe in Christ’s sacrifice for our sins, we receive forgiveness and new life in Him (Acts 3:19). Confessing our sins is a continual part of an ongoing relationship with Jesus. As we humbly agree with what God says about our sin, He is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us (1 John 1:9).
Aligning Our Priorities and Choices to Christ’s Way
To grow in knowing Jesus, we must increasingly align our priorities and choices to His way of life described in the Bible. For example, Jesus instructs His followers to seek God’s kingdom first rather than earthly things (Matthew 6:33). He calls us to value relationships over material possessions. He tells us to love others, serve those in need, forgive others, and care for the poor in practical ways.
As we spend time studying Jesus’ life and teachings in Scripture, our values and perspectives begin to shift. The way we manage time, money, talents, and opportunities starts to reflect Christ’s priorities. Our decisions, big and small, become anchored in wanting to honor Him with our lives.
Practicing Spiritual Disciplines to Know Christ Better
Certain spiritual practices help us know Christ better as we devote ourselves to them. For example, reading the Bible trains us to recognize Jesus’ voice and see life from His perspective (John 10:27). Praying to God enables two-way communication with Him. Regular worship heals our hearts and reminds us of God’s greatness and love.
Fasting, solitude, silence, and meditation on Scripture allow us to focus on Jesus without worldly distractions. Serving and giving generously frees us from self-centeredness. Sharing our faith shows we are not ashamed of Christ. Disciplining ourselves for godliness leads us deeper in knowing Jesus intimately.
Confessing Sins Regularly to Maintain Fellowship
As believers, we still struggle with sin even though we desire to honor Christ. That is why regularly confessing our sins to God is vital for maintaining close fellowship with Jesus. The Bible says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves” (1 John 1:8). But when we confess our sins, God “is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins” (1 John 1:9).
Staying in the light with Christ means humbly admitting when we fall short with an attitude of seeking restoration. He forgives us over and over because His mercy never fails. Our connection with Jesus depends on honest confession that keeps our relationship unhindered.
Growing Spiritually by Abiding in Christ
Jesus uses the metaphor of a vine and branches to describe how our spiritual life flows from abiding or remaining connected to Him (John 15:4-5). We grow in knowing Christ as we stay united with Him, just as branches draw life from the vine. Abiding in Jesus means clinging to Him through obedient trust that bears much spiritual fruit.
It is impossible to grow closer to Jesus while remaining distant from Him. Setting aside regular time to read Scripture, communicate with God in prayer, and reflect on His glory primes our hearts to receive from Christ. Experiencing transformational life change happens through meeting with Jesus consistently.
Gaining Spiritual Strength From the Holy Spirit
A key part of knowing Jesus includes being empowered by the Holy Spirit working within us. After rising from the dead, Jesus told His followers He would send the Holy Spirit to live within everyone who believes in Him (John 14:15-17). The Spirit guides us into truth, reminds us of Jesus’ words, produces Christ-like character in us, and gives supernatural gifts and abilities to believers.
As we walk with Jesus, we gain spiritual strength from the Holy Spirit to understand God’s ways, resist sin, serve others, share our faith, and grow to be like Christ. Relying on the Spirit’s work in our lives keeps us spiritually connected to Jesus every moment.
Becoming Like Christ Through the Spirit’s Work
The Holy Spirit transforms believers to become increasingly like Jesus as we yield to His work in our lives. The Spirit cultivates spiritual fruit in us such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Conforming us to the image of Christ brings glory to God. The more we know Jesus, the more we reflect His character by the power of the Spirit. Our moral development and virtuous behavior give evidence of a deepening relationship with Him.
Using Our Gifts to Serve God and Others
An important way of getting to know Jesus better involves using the spiritual gifts He has given us to serve Him and others. Scripture explains that believers have been given diverse supernatural gifts to build up Christ’s church (1 Corinthians 12:7-11).
As we discover our motivational gifts, speaking gifts, and service gifts, we can channel them into strengthening fellow Christians and reaching the lost. Stewarding what God has entrusted to us for others brings joy and gives Him glory. Serving becomes worship.
Sharing the Gospel as Christ’s Witnesses
Jesus calls His followers to be witnesses telling people everywhere about salvation through faith in Him (Acts 1:8). Knowing Christ inevitably leads to proclaiming Christ. His love compels us to share with others the good news that Jesus died for their sins and rose again to give eternal life (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).
The Holy Spirit empowers us with boldness to overcome fears about evangelizing. By sharing our personal story of how Jesus changed our lives, we point others to encounter His grace. There is no greater joy than helping someone begin a relationship with Christ.
Looking Forward to Jesus’ Return and Eternal Life
Finally, an important aspect of knowing Jesus is longing for His return to take believers to dwell eternally with Him in heaven. Jesus promised He is preparing a place for us where we will live face to face in God’s presence, free from all pain, sin, and death (John 14:2-3).
This eager anticipation of unhindered fellowship with Christ motivates us to live godly lives focused on His coming kingdom. We find hope in the assurance that Satan, suffering and death will be defeated finally when Jesus returns to make all things new.
