First-hand, Experiential Knowledge
On that day you will KNOW that He (Jesus) is in you (John 14:20). That was the very day we were redeemed by the precious blood of the Christos Son of God, forgiven of all prior sins which condemned us, and then became born again/filled with the Spirit of God. It's the day we were made a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). When we received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cried out "ABBA Father" (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6). This powerful and life changing experience insures us that we are not counterfeits, but have the Author of Life (Jesus) within us. It is through the growth of this knowledge that the Author of Life within us becomes more powerful and more prevalent. The Author of Life will grow within us into His fullness and He will open up hearts of those who hear Him. As He grows, we become "poor in spirit", but RICH in His Spirit. This is a process that we cannot shrink from. He must increase and we must decrease. This process is called sanctification. It is the baptism of fire. "For He is like a refiner's fire...." and "...He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness.." Malachi 3:2a, 3
Highlight:
"And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew (ginóskó) you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.' ~Matthew 7:23
“I am the good shepherd, and I know (ginóskó) My own and My own know (ginóskó) Me, even as the Father knows (ginóskó) Me and I know (ginóskó) the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.” —John 10:14, 15
On that day you will know (ginóskó) that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you. (John 14:20)
We who have truly been born again. Whatever environment we are in, this is to help purify us and purge us of ignorance and faults, so that God may shine through us like a city on a hill that cannot be hid. And after you have been acted upon in a certain way for a short time [by] the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you. 1 Peter 5:10
So, Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
But this will only be done as we deny ourselves daily and take up our cross and follow Him, yoke up with Him on a daily basis, walk in the light as He is in the Light, walk as He walked, strive, fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, run the race set before us with patience. Give Him all our heart, mind, soul and strength which is the first and greatest commandment.
In doing this, God will purge us and we will be taking heed to the Word of God. As Paul said, "Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work." 2 Timothy 2:21
As Paul said, it is us partnering up with God through fellowship. Through adhering to His New Covenant. "Covenant" is defined as "an agreement between two parties."
"Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?" Amos 3:3
And the Spirit tells us through the prophet Ezekiel, "I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws." Ezekiel 36:27 "'Not by [our] might nor by [our] power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty." Zechariah 4:6
All "to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves." Ephesians 1:6
God is love. And the more we know Him, the more we know love. And the more we know it, the more we show it. There is knowledge, and there is epi-knowledge. And fuller definition of knowledge through personal experience in the Spirit. Not just knowledge. But the power of God imparted into our very being.
"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Galatians 5:6
And love is the most important virtue.
Paul says, "Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Therefore love (agape) is the fulfillment of the law." Romans 13:10
Paul said just having this knowledge isn't good enough. We must go further and put knowledge into action. Paul said all spiritual gifts, faith, working of miracles is nothing in comparison to love.
Paul finishes his incredible teaching on spiritual gifts at the end of chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians by saying, "But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way." "more excellent" is the English translation of the Greek word "huperbolé" (Strong's # G5236). This very emphatic term means "superlatively, beyond, measure".
"Emphatic": "showing or giving emphasis; expressing something forcibly and clearly." PAUL, this great man of God, is "forcibly and clearly" telling us there is a "way" (road) that is "superlatively, beyond, measure" in comparison to these spiritual gifts.
Wow, selah! Pause and think about that...
"...knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. But whoever loves God is known by God." 1 Corinthians 8:1b-3
"The first step to knowledge is to know our own ignorance. Without love there is only the appearance of knowledge."
"know" — The oldest manuscripts read a Greek word implying personal experimental acquaintance, not merely knowledge of a fact, which the Greek of "we know" or are aware (1Co 8:1) means.
as he ought to know—experimentally and in the way of "love."
~Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
"ought" here is the English translation of the Greek word dei (strong's # G1163) and means "it is necessary, inevitable; less frequently: it is a duty, what is proper." You'll find this word "ought" many times throughout scripture and both Greek words (other is # G3784. opheiló) underneath the English are very strong. I always thought the word "ought" meant "should, but not required". I believe it is often used this way in America. Either way, the Greek is much more of an imperative (or command, crucial, urgent etc). So ought is "must, indebted, obligated, owe".
"love God—the source of love to our neighbor (1Jo 4:11, 12, 20; 5:2).
the same—literally, "this man"; he who loves, not he who "thinks that he knows," not having "charity" or love (1Co 8:1, 2).
is known of him—is known with the knowledge of approval and is acknowledged by God as His (Ps 1:6; Ga 4:9; 2Ti 2:19). Contrast, "I never knew you" (Mt 7:23). To love God is to know God; and he who thus knows God has been first known by God (compare 1Co 13:12; 1Pe 1:2)."
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Again, I am seeking God today and felt inspired when drawing from the love of God. Accessed only through Christ Jesus, my Lord. Fulfilling God's admonition from Hebrews 10:24; "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,"
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." 2 Cor. 13:14
I pray for all who read this message. That God opens up your heart even more to His truth. Or if you never experienced Him, I pray you do! In The mighty Name of Jesus I ask the Father. Amen!
Thomas Richards
You can be saved!
God loves the people in the world so much that He came down to die for us. If God is opening your heart to His message and you feel convicted for your sins which have separated you from a holy God and you feel the need to be forgiven, then say this prayer. This is how I was powerfully converted to the Christ in 1997!
Say, "My Lord and my God, have mercy on me, a sinner. I believe Jesus the Christ died on the cross and shed His precious blood for the forgiveness of all my sins. I believe Jesus raised from the dead and ascended into heaven and is now on the right-hand side of God listening to this prayer. I open up the door of my heart and I invite You in, Lord Jesus. Thank you, God, for saving my soul and I vow to serve you with all my heart which is the first and greatest commandment. Amen."