And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. – 1 John 5:20
Are you a curious person? Years ago, a popular song was titled “Inquiring Minds.” One grocery store checkout line newspaper, “The National Enquirer,” adopted that notion, using the tagline “Enquiring Minds Want to Know,” even copyrighting the phrase. You live in a world of questions, wanting to know who, what, where, why, when, and how of all types of things. You may become elated when you discover answers to the questions that have been bothering you.
Are you just as curious when it comes to truly knowing God? How deeply have you studied John’s first epistle, from which today’s verse is taken? Pastor and author Steve Brandon says, “Throughout the entire epistle, John is trying to bring us back to the solid truth that we might fully know the genuine realities of God and Jesus. That we might stand firm in these things. And the reality is this: What was true in John’s day is equally true in our day. There is much confusion in the world today.”
The Apostle John urges you to truly know that Jesus, the Son of God, has come, that you have been given the gift of understanding, and that you can experience Him in a personal way. Knowing, in the Greek, means “knowing absolutely, beyond a shadow of a doubt, and that intuitive knowledge which is divinely delivered is our permanent possession.” Theologian David Smith says, “Our faith is not a matter of intellectual theory but of personal and growing acquaintance with God.”
Professor of Systematic Theology Dr. Graham Cole writes, “The divine gift of understanding brings us into a personal relationship with the only true God,” the God who is true, genuine, authentic, and actual. The Lord welcomes your questions and, in His answers, He directs you to His Word where you can discover more and more of Him. You can increase your knowledge of Him because, as a follower of Jesus, you are in Him. That relationship in itself involves knowledge.
As you go about your day, consider the lyrics of the worship chorus which proclaim, “Oh, I want to know you more; deep within my soul I want to know you. Oh, I want to know you, to feel your heart and know your mind… I want to know you more.”
Today’s Verse: 1 John 5:20
And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 1 John 5:18-21
18 We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.
19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
