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)