You or I may know a great deal about someone famous - innumerable facts about such things as his family, his childhood and personal history, major occurrences in his life, many of his actions as well as his thinking and decisions, and his character and values in general. If, however, you were to walk up to the door of his house or his office - say, for example, the Oval Office - simply declaring, "I know him!" and expecting a hearty welcome, you most likely would not be admitted anywhere near this person you "know" so well. Obviously there is a vast difference between knowing about someone and actually knowing that person. It is possible to have many opinions about God, but it is quite another thing to truly know God.
You or I may know a great deal about someone famous - innumerable facts about such things as his family, his childhood and personal history, major occurrences in his life, many of his actions as well as his thinking and decisions, and his character and values in general. If, however, you were to walk up to the door of his house or his office - say, for example, the Oval Office - simply declaring, "I know him!" and expecting a hearty welcome, you most likely would not be admitted anywhere near this person you "know" so well. Obviously there is a vast difference between knowing about someone and actually knowing that person. It is possible to have many opinions about God, but it is quite another thing to truly know God.
Really being acquainted with someone implies a two-way relationship, and one of depth and mutuality. Although we may not realize it, the greatest human need is a relationship with God. More than ever, it seems that stress is the catch-all "disease" of the age in which we live. But the basic human need is the same as it has been for countless centuries. We are weary from trying to live life without God. We were made for a relationship with our Creator, made to know our God.
Two of the greatest twentieth century Christian writers wrote striking statements that, although contrasting, if taken together, offer a quite balanced perspective of foundational importance. C. S. Lewis believed the most important thing about a man was how God saw him (that is, what God thinks about man, what our value is to Him). It is clear throughout the Bible that God places tremendous significance on man, the only being created in His image, and the very center of His love and affection. Also, men, not angels, are the object of His redemptive work, and given the potential of becoming His sons. From God's point of view, if you or I were to have a price tag put on our lives signifying our value to Him, we are worth the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. We could not be more valuable!
On the other hand, A. W. Tozer wrote: "The most important thing about a man is what he thinks of God." (that is, how he thinks about God, how he sees God). If what we think about God is inaccurate, and does not reflect His true character and nature, we will not be able to come into a real relationship with Him. Catherine Marshall wrote: "I have come to believe that only if we can depend upon the Creator as a God of love shall we have the courage and confidence to turn our life and affairs over to Him. What builds trust like that in the Creator? Only knowing Him well - His motives, his complete goodwill - and being certain that no pressures will make Him change." At one point in His ministry, Jesus asked His disciples who people were saying that He was. They answered that some thought perhaps that John the Baptist, or Elijah, or one of the old prophets had come back to life. Then Jesus pointedly asked them, "Whom do you (yourselves) say that I am?" Peter replied, "The Christ (Sent One) of God." (Luke 9:18-19) This is the essential question that each one of us must resolve individually. If we know little of the excellencies of Jesus, and what He has done for us and is doing now, we cannot love Him much; but, the more we know Him, the more we will love Him.
The answer for all of life's stress, for all of mankind's needs, can be distilled down into one single, small step. It is a response to an over two thousand year-old invitation (that is as fresh and viable today as it was then). "Come unto Me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you , and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and My burden is light." (Mt.11:28-30) And in this coming will come the knowing - the best and highest knowledge.
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"And this is life eternal (it means), that they might know (perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand) Thee the only true (and real) God, and Jesus (as the) Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah) whom Thou hast sent. " John 17:3
Two of the greatest twentieth century Christian writers wrote striking statements that, although contrasting, if taken together, offer a quite balanced perspective of foundational importance. C. S. Lewis believed the most important thing about a man was how God saw him (that is, what God thinks about man, what our value is to Him). It is clear throughout the Bible that God places tremendous significance on man, the only being created in His image, and the very center of His love and affection. Also, men, not angels, are the object of His redemptive work, and given the potential of becoming His sons. From God's point of view, if you or I were to have a price tag put on our lives signifying our value to Him, we are worth the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. We could not be more valuable!
On the other hand, A. W. Tozer wrote: "The most important thing about a man is what he thinks of God." (that is, how he thinks about God, how he sees God). If what we think about God is inaccurate, and does not reflect His true character and nature, we will not be able to come into a real relationship with Him. Catherine Marshall wrote: "I have come to believe that only if we can depend upon the Creator as a God of love shall we have the courage and confidence to turn our life and affairs over to Him. What builds trust like that in the Creator? Only knowing Him well - His motives, his complete goodwill - and being certain that no pressures will make Him change." At one point in His ministry, Jesus asked His disciples who people were saying that He was. They answered that some thought perhaps that John the Baptist, or Elijah, or one of the old prophets had come back to life. Then Jesus pointedly asked them, "Whom do you (yourselves) say that I am?" Peter replied, "The Christ (Sent One) of God." (Luke 9:18-19) This is the essential question that each one of us must resolve individually. If we know little of the excellencies of Jesus, and what He has done for us and is doing now, we cannot love Him much; but, the more we know Him, the more we will love Him.
The answer for all of life's stress, for all of mankind's needs, can be distilled down into one single, small step. It is a response to an over two thousand year-old invitation (that is as fresh and viable today as it was then). "Come unto Me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you , and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and My burden is light." (Mt.11:28-30) And in this coming will come the knowing - the best and highest knowledge.
----***************----
"And this is life eternal (it means), that they might know (perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand) Thee the only true (and real) God, and Jesus (as the) Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah) whom Thou hast sent. " John 17:3