Skip to main content

Do You Just Know? Or Do You Know!


Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: 
            Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. (II Peter 1:1-3)

            Do you know God and Jesus? Or, do you know God and Jesus. Do you know that there are at least two Greek words for the idea of "knowing"?  The first word is transliterated "eido." Most of us "eido" President Obama or Johnny Depp. We may be able to rattle off any of a number of facts about one of them. We may be obsessed with one of them in either a positive or a negative way. The second word is transliterated "gnosko." Michelle Obama "gnoskos" President Obama, and Amber Heard "gnoskos" Johnny Depp.
            People who have this "gnosko" sort of knowledge participate in an actual reciprocal relationship. If you gnosko someone, they know you, too. It is an actual relationship. They have access   They interact with you and you with them on a regular basis. 
       The actual form of the "gnosko" word is "epignosis." This means precise and correct knowledge, not just a next-door neighbor. Think in terms of "epitome" of knowledge. It is through this kind of knowledge that grace and peace can be ours in abundance. This is the sort of knowledge to which God invites us and of which He expects from us. It is not enough for us to be scientists or scholars, examining and testing God. It is not enough for us to be paparazzi, trying to dig up the dirt on God. It is not enough for us to be a fan, watching, evening worshipping from afar. It isn't enough for us to be a prostitute, offering to spend time with God but belonging to someone else. In order to receive the grace and peace of which Peter speaks, we have to live with God, spend time with Him daily, and giving Him access to every part of our lives.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...
Post a Comment
Read more