GRACE GAZETTE
Volume IIIssue 14
Published occasionally for Zion’s mourners
Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Hebrews 12::12-13

KNOWING CHRIST

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death. Philippians 3:10

It is quite common to hear people talk about knowing the LORD as if HE were their next door neighbor or a friend of the family. Many use the term quite freely when evangelizing others as if to imply that men have the capability to possess or learn such knowledge by an act of their own will. The scripture is quite clear that one of the blessings of the "new covenant" would be that HIS children would not be taught the things of GOD by men but they would have them revealed to them personally by the HOLY GHOST. "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the LORD; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a GOD, and they shall be to me a people: "And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest." (Heb 8:10-11; see also I John 2:20; I Cor.2:10-13) Now obviously HE is not saying that all men shall have this knowledge (see John 14:17; I Cor 2:14), but that all who are given to CHRIST in this covenant, will be individually instructed by HIM (see I John 2:27) . All of those, whose GOD is the LORD, will be led by HIM out of darkness into light. This was part of HIS purpose in leaving us HIS HOLY SPIRIT when HE ascended back to the FATHER. (see John14:26; 15:26;16:13) The new covenant is not concerned with teaching men religious dogmas, traditions, practices etc. which must be instilled in one generation by the former. But rather the knowledge imparted under its reign is a very present and timely understanding; an enlightenment which can only be given by GOD HIMSELF. This is exactly what the LORD JESUS told the woman at the well when she asked HIM which religious tradition was the best. (see John 4:19-24) Now I am not saying that GOD does not use human teachers in the edification of HIS children (see Eph.4:8-15) but I am saying that the essence of the truth which is taught to the sons of GOD only comes by the revelation of the FATHER. Men cannot impart this truth to one another and cannot keep this truth from one another either. (see Rev.3:7; Job 11:10) Thank GOD for that.

There are several Greek words in the New Testament which are translated into English as "know." There are two which are predominately used. They are "oida" and "ginosko". Now I am not a Greek scholar nor an etymologist so I am forced to rely on the erudition of learned men in these fields such as Vine and Strong. There is a real blessing in the study and usage of these two words which I hope I can share in a few lines. "Ginosko", frequently suggests inception or progress in "knowledge," while oida suggests fullness of "knowledge," e.g., John 8:55, "ye have not known Him" (ginosko), i.e., begun to "know," "but I know Him" (oida), i.e., "know Him perfectly"; John 13:7, "Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words"

Paul used the word "ginosko" when he cried out , Oh "that I might know HIM", saying I need to become acquainted with HIM more intimately. Yet when he triumphantly stated "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that HE is able to keep that which I've committed unto HIM against that day" (II Tim 1:12); he used the word "oida" which is the exact word the LORD HIMSELF used when HE said to the Pharisees; "Yet ye have not known HIM; but I know HIM:" (John 8:55). This suggests that Paul possessed a confidence that the knowledge he had was sufficient. Such is the blessing of the gift of faith, it carries with it a rest for the people of GOD, an unshakable assurance that CHRIST is the sum total of all we need or are looking for.

We are lacking in nothing that will make us perfect in the eyes of GOD, nor are we in any danger of coming short of that whereunto we are called. (see Heb.4:1) "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of GOD. "For he that is entered into HIS rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as GOD did from HIS." (Heb 4:9-10) Yet there is in the true child of GOD the knowledge that we have not arrived at a state of perfection yet in this life. "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of GOD in CHRIST JESUS." (Phil 3:13-14) It is to this quest we are called and conducted by the SPIRIT of the Living GOD. Religious men are happy to be reminded from time to time of the "old, old story" or filled up with some of that "old time religion", but GOD's true children are consumed with a desire to "know" HIM. They cannot be satisfied with someone telling them things about HIM nor can they be content with the testimony of others who have been acquainted with HIM. No, they must "know" HIM, just like a horse must drink water or it will die. (see John 6:34)

  1. They must know the power of HIS resurrection. "I am crucified with CHRIST: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but CHRIST liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the SON of GOD, who loved me, and gave HIMSELF for me." (Gal 2:20)

  2. They must know the fellowship of HIS sufferings being made conformable to HIS death. "Always bearing about in the body the dying of the LORD JESUS, that the life also of JESUS might be made manifest in our body." (2 Cor 4:10)

  3. They must know the hope of HIS calling. "For GOD hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness." (Th 4:7)

  4. They must know the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. "According to his abundant mercy (HE) hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of JESUS CHRIST from the dead, "To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you." (1 Peter 1:3-4)

  5. They must know the greatness of HIS power. "According as HIS divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of HIM that hath called us to glory and virtue:" (2 Peter 1:3)

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