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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.

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