An interesting verse in the Holy Bible is the one recorded to the Churches in Galatia, recorded in Galatians 4:9. It reads “But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?” The part of this verse that caught my attention was “… ye have known God, or rather are known of God, …” and as I pondered, I wondered as to why such an explicit distinction was made.
There are many who know Jesus, a.k.a know God, but what is vitally important is that to determine if they truly know God or are rather known of God. Even those who don’t believe that Jesus is the Christ know who He is, but to truly know God, what does it mean? To truly know God and to be known of God is quite a different matter in its entirety. Who are those who are truly know God or are rather known of God? The scripture gives us the answer to that question and it is quite simple. Those who keep God’s commandments are the ones who know him (1 John 2:3) and those who love God are the ones who are known of him (1 Corinthians 8:3). Jesus said, if you love me, you will keep my commandments (John 14:15). To fear (love) God and to keep his commandments is the chief end of yours and mine (Ecclesiastes 12:13) and in doing so, not only do we affirm truthfully that we know God, but what a great thing it is to recognize that we are known of God.
Point(s) to ponder:
- Do you/I know God? a.k.a. are you/I keeping his commandments?
- Are you/I known of God? a.k.a. Do you/I love God?
- We ought to know God AND be known of God – Think about that!
I John 2:3 (KJV)
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
1 Corinthians 8:3 (KJV)
3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
1 John 2:4 (KJV)
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
