TCH MINI-STUDY 29
KNOWING CHRIST
Within the scriptures, we find three instances in which Christ said He did not know
those who claimed to know Him.
First, the scriptures tell us, And he [Jesus] went through the cities and villages, teaching,
and journeying toward Jerusalem. Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter
in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in [the wedding feast, and the kingdom], and shall not be able. When
once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying,
Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have
eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are;depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and
Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. And they shall come from the east, and from the
west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. And, behold, there are last [least important] which
shall be first [most important], and there are first which shall be last (Luke 13:22-30). Here, Christ is teaching that in order to
receive salvation, one must strive to enter into the kingdom via the straight gate; and that many shall seek to enter in, but shall
not be able. In verse 24, Jesus uses the word straight, which means narrow, obstacles standing close about, and is derived from the
Greek word histemi, which means to stand by. In context, the strait gate appears to be referring to narrowness, or, humility: the
person who considers themselves as last, or least important, and Christ and His will as first, or most important. The strait gate
of humility and self denial is also suggested in these words of Christ: ...If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and
take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life [by pursuing self will] shall lose it: and whosoever will lose
his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall
a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:24-26). These individuals who Christ says He does not know, and denies entrance into
salvation and the Kingdom of God, He also describes as workers of iniquity, and promptly commands them to depart from Him. Within
these verses, Christ says He knows those who place the life and will of Christ and God the Father above our own.
Second, while
giving the parable of the ten virgins, Jesus said, Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their
lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their
lamps, and took no oil [oil represents the Holy Spirit and presence of Christ, and those who are prayerfully looking for and expecting
the sudden appearance of Christ and heir marriage to Him] with them: But the wise [those who were watching and prepared for the sudden
appearance of Christ] took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And
at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed
their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not
so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy,
the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage [supper and celebration]: and the door was shut. Afterward
came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch
therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh (Matthew 25:1-13). Within the context of these verses,Christ says He knows those who have the Holy Spirit and are watching for and expecting His sudden return for Hi bride.
Third,
in teaching the beatitudes to His disciples, Jesus said, Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom
of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied
in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I
never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken
him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat
upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them
not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the
winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it (Matthew 7:21-27). Within the context of these verses,Christ says He knows those who do the will of His Father in heaven, which is to not only hear, but do the sayings of Christ. We must
ask, though, what are these sayings of Christ that we are supposed to do? The Lord detailed these sayings in what we refer to as the
sermon on the mount; all the sayings found in Matthew 5:1 through Matthew 7:27. There are numerous sayings given by Christ to His
disciples, so we shall mention only the major sections: those who are blessed and have a great reward in Heaven (Matt 5:1-12), the
dsiciples described as salt and light (Mat 5:13-14), teaching about the law and righteousness (Mat 5:15-20, teaching about anger (Mat
5:21-26), sin comes from the heart (Mat 5:27-30), teaching about divorce (Mat 5:31-32), teaching about our speech (Mat 5:33-37), revenge
(Mat 5:38-42), loving enemies (Mat 5:43-48), doing good deeds to glorify ourselves (Mat 6:1-4), prayer (Mat 6:5-15), fasting (Mat
6:16-18), priorities of our heart (Mat 6:19-21), clear spiritual vision (Mat 6:22-23), putting God first (Mat 6:24-34), judging others
(Mat 7:1-6), prayer (Mat 7:7-12), salvation and humility (Mat 7:13-14), warning about false prophets (Mat 7:15-20), and the necessity
of hearing and doing Christ's sayings (Mat 7:24-29). Carying out the sayings of Christ are an essential part of knowing the Lord.Jesus even told His own disciples, Ye [know me and] are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you (John 15:14). For further insight
into these sayings of Christ, review the listed verses.
Scriptures give us other insights about knowing God, Christ, and the
Holy Spirit:
Scriptures teach that even demonic spirits know Christ: And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit;
and he cried out, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know
thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the unclean spirit
had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him (Mark 1:23-26).
The apostle Peter exhorts us to grow in grace,
and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever (2 Peter 3:18).
Christ taught
His own disciples about God the the Kingdom of God. Jesus said to His disciples, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the
kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand (Luke 8:10).
The
apostle Paul connected knowing Christ and the power of His resurrection with his own resurrection and eternal life. Paul wrote believers
in Philippi: Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom
I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own
righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That
I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If
by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead (Philippians 3:8-11).
Knowing God and Christ results in eternal
life, Jesus prayed to His heavenly Father, And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ,
whom thou hast sent (John 17:3). According to these words of Christ, eternal life is the result of knowing God the Father and the
Son who He sent, Jesus Christ.
God spoke these words through the prophet Jeremiah: Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man
glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth
glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness,
in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD (Jeremiah 9:23-24).
Through Jeremiah, God also said, ye shall seek
me, and find me [and also know Me], when ye shall search for me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13). Want to know God? Seek Him with
your entire heart, with all you have.
Jesus emphatically taught that His own sheep know Him: I am the good shepherd, and know
my sheep, and am known of mine (John 10:14).
God the Father's new covenant in fact assures the believer of knowing Him. God spoke
these words through the prophet Jeremiah: Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of
Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the
hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But
this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their
inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every
man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest
of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more (Jeremiah 31:31-34).
Although
some may disagree, scriptures teach, as happened with the church in Galatia, that those who have known God can and do occasionally
depart from the faith in Christ which they originally received. In writing the church in Galatia, Paul scolded some of the believers,because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more
a servant [slave to keeping the law], but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Howbeit then, when ye knew not
God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn
ye again to the weak and beggarly elements [of the law], whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage [to the law]? (Galatians 4:6-9).
Some of the Galatian believers had come to know God and His salvation through faith in Christ, yet they desired to abandon their faith
and return to bondage to the works of the Jewish law. To the believers in Rome, the apostle Paul also spoke of those who knew God,
refused to glorify Him, and eventually turned away from God and His ways, and reaped the reward of death: For the wrath of God is
revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold [resist] the truth in unrighteousness; Because that
which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation
of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are
without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations,
and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. And changed the glory of the uncorruptible
God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave
them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves (Romans 1:18-24). Their
outcome was clear: These unrighteous knew the judgment of God, and that they which commit such things are worthy of death, [yet they
decided to] not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them (Romans 1:32).
THE CHRISTIAN HERALD
A
Judeo-Christian Bible Study
PERILOUS TIMES SHALL COME
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their
own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers,
false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than
lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep
into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the
knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate
concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was"
(2 Timothy
3:1-9).
THE CHRISTIAN AND GOVERNMENT
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of
God: the
powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist
shall receive to
themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to
the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid
of the power? do that which is good, and
thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for
good. But if
thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword
in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute
wrath upon
him that doeth evil (Romans 13:1-4).
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be
to
the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of
them that do well. For so is the will
of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish
men (1 Peter
2:13-15).
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates,
to be ready to every good work, To
speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but
gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men (Titus 3:1-2).
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which
ye have learned; and
avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly;
and by good words
and fair speeches deceive
the hearts
of the simple”
(Romans 16:17-18).
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should
boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should
walk in them”
(Ephesians
2:8-10).
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE? IT IS EVEN A VAPOUR
"Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into
such a city, and continue
there a year, and buy and sell, and
get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow.
For what is your life? It is even a vapour,
that appeareth
for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought
to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and
do this, or
that”
(James 4:15).
FALSE PROPHETS AND TEACHERS
SERVE THEIR OWN BELLY
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause
divisions and offences
contrary to the doctrine which ye
have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve
not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own
belly; and by
good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the
simple [innocent, unsuspecting, gullable, naive]"
(Romans 16:17-18).
"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of
the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth
on
a tree: That the
blessing of Abraham might come on
the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that
we might receive the promise of the
Spirit
through faith”
(Galatians 3:13-14).
