What Does It Mean To Be Known By God?

any believers are on a path to knowing God.  They anchor themselves in prayer and devotion in order to grow in their relationship with the man who hung between two criminals.  There is no greater feeling on earth than to connect and communion with God.  Although this is the greatest pursuit on earth, when one considers to purse this, they must first consider a larger question.  What does it mean to be known by God?

“But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.” (1 Corinthians 8:3)

Paul encourages the church that love is the primary vehicle to know God.  God’s Word teaches us an amazing truth.  In order to fully understand the knowledge God has for us, we must first consider where we place our affection.  

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Love Is The Answer

Our affection for God grows when we understand that the same God who created the heavens and the earth (see Genesis 1:1), desires to know us intimately.  His affection is centered around having a personal relationship that is not built upon works but in deep-rooted love.  God love’s humanity. 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

In the heart of God lies an unwavering love for humanity.  Through Jesus Christ, God has made a way for humans to spend eternity with Him.  Not only has he secured our eternal destination through His love, but he has also given us the keys to life on earth.   

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)

God finds pleasure in his children having access to His kingdom.  In fact, God takes it a step further and places the righteousness of Jesus into lives so that we have the same access that Jesus did in God’s kingdom. 

“For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:17)

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The Knowledge of God

Through the finished work of Jesus on the cross, God has positioned us to reign in life through God’s grace and righteousness.  By reigning with Christ, we properly fulfill God’s original intentions for humanity to govern God’s creation (as in the garden of Eden).  

Since we have been given this amazing ability to reign in life with God, it would be careless to throw it all away to pursue our old lives before we found Jesus.  

“Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods.  But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?” (Galatians 4:8,9)

Paul compels the Galatian church to walk in a manner of life that is equal to their knowledge of God.  Through Jesus, we have been given full access to the heart of God.  Through this access, we know are able to overcome the powers of darkness.  Because we have the Holy Spirit, our full and final comfort in God’s Word compels our hearts to pursue God’s ways instead of our own.  This knowledge brings us into a place of dominion over sin in our lives.  This dominion produces righteous fruit that draws those outside of God’s kingdom into his heart.  

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

What Does It Mean To Be Known By God?

In his book Known By God, Brian Rosner discovers that the key to understanding one’s identity is found in the pursuit of knowing God.  Rosner points out that the pursuit of self if is a major roadblock in the process of being known by God.  He says, “If one of the universal desires of the self is to be known by others, being known by God as his children meets our deepest and lifelong need for recognition and gives us a secure identity.” 

Intimacy with God is unlocked when we realized that we are known by God.  Through this dynamic, we release the ability to unlock our own personal identities inside of his heartbeat.  Because we are anchored in His love, our ability to love others well permeates in each relationship.  As we love, we confirm that we are known by God, as 1 Corinthians 8:3 states.  

To be known by God is to be chosen by God.  God chooses us out of his own great love (see Ephesians 1:4,5).  It is only through God’s love do we truly understand what it means to be known by Him, for God is love.  Through love, we release a greater measure for us to know God and to be known by Him.  

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7)