Knowing God personally and knowing about Him are two totally different concepts. Those who know about God do not have intimate knowledge of who he is or what he can do. However, having a personal relationship with God means you have a deeper understanding of who he is. If you want to establish an intimate relationship with God, continue reading to understand how to know Jesus personally.
Knowing Jesus personally means having a friendship with him. You can know Jesus by spending quality time with him by reading the scripture or praying. Regular communication is important to maintain the relationship, even in normal friendships. Therefore. To know Jesus personally is intentionally dedicating your time to understand who he is.
So, how do I know I have known Jesus personally? What does it mean to know Jesus personally? How is knowing Jesus different from knowing about Jesus? What is the key to truly knowing Jesus? Ways to know Jesus personally? What are some bible verses about knowing Jesus? Continue reading to get more information and answers to these questions and more.
How do I know I have known Jesus personally?
Knowing Jesus personally means that you have a close relationship with him. Just like human beings, it is easy for us to know about a famous person but not know about them personally. That can be the same with Christians and Jesus; you can just hear of what he has done in church but never have experience what he can do in your life. So, how do you know that you have established a personal relationship with Jesus?
You will know that you have known Christ personally if he is your friend. It is pretty simple, just like our normal friendships, how do you relate with your friends? You spend quality time together and have vulnerable conversations with each other. Our relationship with Christ also demands the same. Spending time with his word and in prayer so we can know his will and not go against it.
And even before becoming a friend of Jesus, you have to be saved by accepting and believing that he is God and was raised from the dead. John 1:12 reads, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
Therefore, you cannot know Jesus personally if you have not received him as the savior of your life. That is the first step of establishing a relationship with him. And if you have done so and you spend quality time with him and know him for who he says he is, then you have known him personally.
What does it mean to know Jesus personally?
As stated earlier, knowing Jesus personally means being His friend. To know Jesus personally is not just educationally reading about him or hearing about him from your pastor and friends. Still, it is by taking a step to actually know him for yourself. This will require you to sit with him in his presence, discuss your issues with him and listen to what he has to say about them. Having a personal relationship with God means obeying his word because no one would want to intentionally hurt their friends.
How is knowing Jesus different from knowing about Jesus?
A great analogy used about knowing Jesus and knowing about Jesus is, “it is one thing to know about a president and a totally different thing to be the friend of the president.” Knowing about Jesus is just like anyone else who knows the president but knowing Jesus can access him easily as you have established a relationship with him.
Therefore, to really know Jesus, one must do more than just watch him from afar. You will have to go ahead and establish a personal relationship with him to actually know Jesus. To truly know Jesus is to spend quality time with him and communicate with him frequently.
John 5:20 reads, “And we know that the son of God has come and 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.” Knowing Jesus means learning the truth, and Jesus says he is the truth, the way, and the light.
What is the key to truly knowing Jesus?
The key to knowing Jesus is first believing in him so that you can be saved from your sins. Romans 10:9 reads, “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, then you will be saved.” Interacting with the scripture and spending quality time praying and communicating with Jesus is the key to knowing who he really is.
Ways to know Jesus personally?
Some people cannot comprehend that knowing Jesus personally is possible. Though we are not like the disciples who experienced a close physical and spiritual relationship with Jesus, we can still experience a close spiritual relationship with him.
The first way we can know Jesus personally is by reading and studying the Bible. If you want to have an intimate relationship with God, you must be consistent and spend regular time reading the Bible. The Bible will tell you who Jesus is, and you will know the truth about him. That will allow you to hide his word in your heart. We learn his promises to us and why putting our hope in him is important.
The second way that you can know Jesus personally is by praying. As stated earlier, communication is an important part of any relationship. Therefore, we should pray to Jesus not only to tell him our issues but also to listen to what he has to tell us.
Furthermore, knowing Jesus personally is walking as he did. It is impossible to personally know Jesus and not to strive to walk as he did. The scripture notes that you cannot claim to know him and not walk as he did. Therefore, we must read the Bible, actively pray to listen to his voice, and strive to be like him. With that, we can say we know him personally.
Bible verses about knowing Jesus
John 17:3 reads, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”
When knowing about Jesus, it is key to know Him by yourself by reading his word so that you cannot be misled by the rise of false religions. Jesus warned that false religions would be more common, so it is essential to read the word to know the one and true Jesus personally.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Therefore, Jesus makes the first step in establishing a relationship with us; we must be willing to be saved. The scripture even says that we were still sinners; Christ died for us. God has always wanted to have a perfect relationship with humanity, and that is why he let his son die for us. So, believing in Christ is a step forward in knowing who he is.
Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
As Christians, the word of God should be our pillar. In that, we learn everything we need to know about Jesus and what is expected of us to be his friends.
Philippians 3:10 reads, “I want to know Christ, yes, to know the power of his resurrection, and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.”
Therefore, striving to have a relationship with God is actually striving to be like him. The more you know about him, the more you become like him.
References
What does it mean to know Jesus?
Knowing Jesus versus knowing about him
How can I know Jesus? What does it mean to know Him?
How you can know Jesus more personally
Bible verses about knowing God
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.