
God knows everything. There is nothing that He did not know. But if there is one most sobering truth revealed in the Bible, it is the distinction between simply knowing about God and truly being known by God. This difference defines our eternal destiny and spiritual authenticity. The Bible gives clear insight into the requirement of being known by God, which is essential for the Rapture and ultimately entering the Kingdom of Heaven.
The Essential Requirement: To Be Known by God
In the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:11-12), we see five wise virgins who were prepared and ready for the arrival of the Bridegroom. The other five, described as foolish virgins, were unprepared, and when they sought to enter the wedding feast, the door was shut. Their plea, “Lord, Lord, open to us,” was met with the chilling reply from the Bridegroom, “I know you not.”
Similarly, in Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus speaks of those who will come to Him in the final judgment, proclaiming the works they did in His name. Yet, He will declare, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” These passages emphasize that the most critical aspect of our relationship with God is not just our works or our knowledge of Him but whether He knows us.
The Value of Knowing Christ
Philippians 3:8,10: “I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord… I want to know Him and the power of His resurrection…”
In Philippians 3:8,10, the Apostle Paul expresses the supreme value of knowing Christ, stating that everything else is “loss” compared to the “surpassing value of knowledge Christ Jesus my Lord.” To Paul, the ultimate goal is to “know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death.” Knowing Christ is not simply intellectual; it is an intimate, transformative relationship that shapes our entire being.
Oneness with Christ
1 Cor. 6:16-17 “What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.”
1 Corinthians 6:16-17 explains the profound spiritual unity that believers are called to have with Christ: “He that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.” Just as physical oneness in marriage comes through intimacy, spiritual oneness with Christ comes through the experience of being born again. Genesis 4:1 illustrates this when Adam “knew” Eve, leading to the birth of a child. Similarly, when we are spiritually born again, we are united with Christ in spirit.
How the Soul Receives the Word
Heb. 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.“
Hebrews 4:12 describes how the Word of God penetrates our souls, dividing “soul and spirit, joints and marrow” and discerning “the thoughts and intents of the heart.” This passage illustrates the power of God’s Word to expose and transform us from the inside out. To be known by God, we must allow His Word to penetrate deeply into our hearts, renewing our minds and reshaping our lives.
Rom. 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Romans 12:2 teaches that transformation begins with the renewal of our minds. When God’s Spirit merges with our spirit through revelation, we experience true change. Faith, described in Hebrews 11:6 as essential for pleasing God, is the natural response to this revelation. It compels us to act on the truth that God reveals to us.
Casting Down Imaginations
2 Cor. 10:4-5 “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 instructs us to “cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” This verse calls us to mental discipline, where every thought is brought into alignment with Christ’s truth. To know God intimately, we must conquer the battle of the mind, removing thoughts and attitudes that oppose the truth of God’s Word.
Walking in the Spirit to Overcome the Flesh
Gal. 5:16 “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
All sin originates in our flesh, which is at war with the Spirit. Galatians 5:16 encourages us to “walk in the Spirit,” which is the only way to overcome the desires of the flesh. Our flesh is inherently sinful and cannot be subdued through mere willpower or legalistic effort. Instead, we must feed and strengthen our spirit by immersing ourselves in God’s Word, prayer, and fellowship with Him.
1 Cor. 1:30 “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.”
Trying to achieve righteousness through fleshly efforts is futile. Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 1:30 that Christ alone is our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Our holiness is not based on our own works but on our oneness with Christ through the Spirit. The more Christ lives in us, the more we are conformed to His image.
The Power of Light over Darkness
Attempting to change someone or dispel darkness through mere lecturing or condemnation is ineffective. Darkness is only overcome by light. Jesus teaches us to be the light of the world, reflecting His truth and love. As believers, we must let the light of Christ shine through us by living in a way that reflects His character and love. We need to live as children of the Light (Ephesians 5:8), drawing others to Christ through our transformed lives, not through mere words.
Transformation by the Spirit of the Lord
2 Cor. 3:18 “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.“
True spiritual transformation is achieved only by the work of the Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 reminds us that as we behold the glory of the Lord, we are being transformed into the same image, from glory to glory, by the Spirit of the Lord. This divine work in us is what prepares us for the Rapture and eternal life with God.
The Dangers of Works without the Spirit
It is possible for two people to do the same good works, but only one may be truly righteous in God’s eyes. The difference lies in the presence of the Spirit. Works done without the Spirit, even if outwardly impressive, are not pleasing to God. We must ensure that our works are motivated and empowered by the Spirit of God, not by our own strength or for our own glory.
The Warning of Luke 13:25-27
Luke 13:25-27 “When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are. Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.”
In Luke 13:25-27, Jesus gives a stern warning to those who heard His teachings but ignored them. They saw Him in their streets, yet they refused to acknowledge Him. The same danger exists today for those who hear the Word of God but fail to apply it to their lives. Being known by God requires more than just hearing His Word; it requires living it out in obedience and surrender to Him.
Conclusion
To be known by God is to enter into an intimate relationship with Him, allowing His Spirit to transform us from the inside out. This is the essence of the Christian life and the only way to prepare for the Rapture. It requires a deep knowledge of Christ, oneness with His Spirit, and a life lived in the light of His Word. As we yield to His Spirit and allow Him to live through us, we will be conformed to His image, and we will hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” rather than, “I never knew you.”
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