So, what does it mean to truly know God?
Key Scriptures:
Matthew 7:21-23: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Genesis 4:1: Now the man Adam knew Eve as his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, “I have obtained a man (baby boy, son) with the help of the LORD.”
John 17:21: that they all may be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe [without any doubt] that You sent Me.
1 Corinthians 6:17 : But the one who is united and joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.
There’s a question my spirit man has been probing lately: “what does it really mean to know God?”. This question became the focus of my prayer walks as I began to ask the Holy Spirit to help me understand what “knowing God” really looked like. Genesis 4:1 was the first scripture that came to my spirit as I began to seek understanding, so let’s break it down.
Let's start by looking at Jesus' words to the Pharisees about marriage in Mark 10:8: "The two shall become one flesh; so that they are no longer two, but [are united as] one flesh." In marriage, becoming one flesh was traditionally marked by consummation—the physical act that seals the deal. Consummation is seen as the moment that officially completes the marriage, serving as a tangible expression of the couple’s connection and commitment. We can also consider 1 Corinthians 6:16, where Apostle Paul says, “Do you not know that the one who joins himself to a prostitute is one body with her? For He says, ‘The two shall be one flesh.’” Here, Paul uses the same concept to highlight the significance of becoming one with another person through acts of intimacy.
Now that we've set the stage, let's circle back to Genesis 4:1, where it's written that "Adam knew Eve as his wife." This "knowing" signifies a level of intimacy, where Adam and Eve became one flesh. As I focus on the idea of knowing God, this passage serves as a powerful illustration. Just as Adam's knowing of Eve was marked by becoming one flesh, our "knowing" of God involves an intimate connection where we are united with Him as one spirit. This oneness is the essence of truly knowing God.
"Knowing Christ" goes beyond simply having a relationship with Him. In most relationships, individuals maintain a degree of separateness even as they connect with each other. Apostle Paul continued in 1 Corinthians 6:17 by saying “the one who is united and joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.” To truly "know" God is to reach a level of intimacy where you and He become united as one. This union is described in John 15:4, where abiding in Him and He in you signifies that you have come to truly know Him. Jesus expressed this very desire for the Body of Christ in John 17:21 - “ that they all may be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe [without any doubt] that You sent Me.”
It’s easy to be deceived by the work we do, especially for those of us involved in church ministries. However, scripture reminds us that any effort made without abiding in Christ, and without allowing Him to abide in us, is ultimately in vain. It is very possible to serve God selflessly, fast regularly, and pray diligently and still not truly know Him. John 15:6 warns us of the consequences for those who do not remain in Him: "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned." Just as we grow from consuming milk to solid food, it's important that we progress from merely having a “relationship” with God to truly being one with Him.
In conclusion, truly knowing God goes far beyond simply having a relationship with Him. It calls for a deep, transformative oneness, where we are united with Him in spirit—much like the way Adam "knew" Eve and they became one flesh. This intimacy with God, as Jesus described in John 15, is marked by abiding in Him and allowing Him to abide in us. It is not just about serving God or engaging in spiritual disciplines, but about being so closely connected with Him that our very identity is transformed by His presence. As Jesus prayed in John 17:21, the ultimate goal is for us to be one with Jesus, just as He is one with the Father. In this unity, we come to truly know Him in the deepest sense, and this is the essence of spiritual maturity and fulfillment. Without this abiding connection, our efforts may become empty actions, but with it, we bear lasting fruit and live in the fullness of God's presence. In my next few posts, I'll share practical ways to cultivate a deep intimacy with God that leads to true oneness. Until then, let us pray -
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for placing within me a desire to truly know You, to go beyond the surface and experience a deep, intimate relationship with You. Lord, I ask that You reveal Yourself to me in new ways. Help me understand that knowing You isn't just about what I do or say, but about becoming one with You in spirit.
Draw me closer to You, and guide my steps as I seek to abide in Your presence. Just as Adam "knew" Eve and they became one, I desire to experience that same level of intimacy with You, where I am united with You in a way that transforms my life. Help me not to settle for a mere relationship, but to step into the fullness of truly knowing You, as You desire.
Holy Spirit, lead me deeper. Remove anything in my life that blocks my connection with You, and give me the grace to fully surrender. I want to abide in You, and I ask that You abide in me, as Your Word promises. Let my life reflect Your love, power, and presence in everything I do.
Father, I want to bear lasting fruit for Your Kingdom, and I know that can only happen when I am truly one with You. Teach me to live in such close connection with You that the world sees Your glory through me. Let my life be a testimony of what it means to truly know You.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
