WHO DO YOU KNOW…REALLY KNOW?

BIBLE PASSAGE:
“I am the good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep
know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the
Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.”
(John 10:14-15)

MEDITATION:
Do you know the Lord?
I don’t mean, “Do you know Who He is?”
I don’t mean,
    “Do you know that He is God’s Son and was born in a manger?”
I don’t mean,
    “Do you know that He preached the good news, healed
     the sick and even restored life of someone who had died?”
I don’t mean, “Do you know what He did for mankind?”
I don’t mean,
    “Do you know that He was crucified
     and resurrected to be with His Father?”

Although these are good questions,
the one asked still remains the same,
    “Do you know the Lord?”

Most of us know about the Lord, but that is quite different from
knowing the Lord. Unless He is revealed to us through a personal
experience, we do not really know the Lord. And unless we nurture
our relationship with Him, we will not grow in our knowledge of Him.

We learn a lot about Him at church through Sunday school, youth
activities, worship services, fellowship with other believers, etc. But
to many, they stop at this point in their efforts to know the Lord. It
is one thing to be introduced to someone, but it is a totally different
thing to know him or her personally.

When we really know someone, we learn to appreciate the qualities they
possess. We have a better understanding of why they do the things they
do. We enjoy our relationship with them and look forward to spending
time with them. We have a desire to nurture our fellowship with them so
we will grow closer to each other. When we spend quality time with them,
we learn more about their characteristics (including the things they like
and dislike).

We can sense the sincerity of their love for us and others. We know how
much they care about us and others. We develop a greater love for them
and we have confidence in their dependability. As we grow closer to them,
we have a desire to know even more about them. We value their advice,
and we learn that they can be trusted, which means we are comfortable
in talking to them openly and honestly about anything.

Jesus Christ (our Lord and Savior) is Who we need to first know about,
and then know. He is the One we need to infuse into our personal lives.
As we know Him better, it is easier to develop His characteristics in our
own lives. We learn to be thankful for what He did for us on the cross,
but the more we know him, the more we can appreciate His presence in
our daily lives as well.

He has a message for those who do not really know Him.
    Then I will tell them plainly,
    “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”
    (Matthew 7:23)

ACTION:
Answer the following questions:
    – Do I know the Lord, or just know about Him.
    – Do I have a desire to spend time getting to know
      Him better on a daily basis, or only once a week?
    – Does He influence the things I do and the decisions I make each day?
    – Have I grown to appreciate and love Him more every day?
    – How do I show that I really know Him, and appreciate His love for me?
    – Is He the top priority in my life (in everything I think, do and say)?
    – What changes should I make going forward?

Pray,
“Lord, You are indeed, the good Shepherd, who loves me
and wants to help me in all things. Help me to love You
more, and to grow closer to You, so I can be confident that
I know You, and that You know me. Transform my life so
that I can live in a way that is more pleasing to You. Teach
me to develop Your characteristics in my own life. Thank
You for what You did for me on the cross, for loving me,
and for praying for me to our Father. Without You I am
nothing, but with You (and knowing You), I can become
everything that is good and pleasing to You.”

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