Knowing Jesus

When we first accept Jesus as our Savior and become “born again” there are differences in us, our life experiences, and our understanding of spiritual things. In spite of these differences we all share the need to know this Jesus who has loved and accepted us.

How do we do that? If we just dive into scripture without the help of the Holy Spirit things can seem confusing. I accepted a personal Jesus but the Bible says He is God, the Word made flesh. It says He is both a Lion and a Lamb. What? He is a door, a vine, a good shepherd all at once? God is NOT in confusion. He does not want you confused.

If we rely on our mind only expecting human reasoning to be enough to explain Jesus we will be disappointed. Our minds need the Holy Spirit to teach us about Jesus. Scripture says that the Spirit witnesses of Jesus. To some extent we are the children of the age of reason which exalted human reason. Even our seminaries and Bible schools emphasize cognitive knowing God over Spiritual knowing God. The human mind cannot explain all there is to know about God. We do not throw away the God given gift of the human mind but we need to acknowledge that which we know of God is because of His self revelation through His Word and Spirit.

It is good to study the acts and I Am saying of Jesus to help us understand. There are so many glimpses of revelation of Jesus in scripture it can and should be a life time study. But knowing cognitively is only part of the way to learn about Jesus. We must learn about Him by having experiences with Him. How can we do that? Here are a few ways.

Prayer

Scriptural study

Scriptural meditation

Sitting under the ministry gifts God has put in the Church to mature the Saints

Fellowship with other members of the Body of Christ

Attending church gatherings to experience among other things a corporate anointing

Praising and Worshiping God

In these things God Himself is involved and will interact with and in you. Knowing things cognitively is important. But knowing, experiencing Him intimately will transform you and your understanding of Him.

This is just a beginning.