4 - Acknowledgment – Knowing, Not Just Believing

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Confidence That Shines

One of the most remarkable things about the early Christians was their steady, calm confidence.

These folks didn’t just talk about faith—they lived it. They knew exactly whom they trusted, and it showed in every part of their lives.

Knowing God Personally

Jesus said it plain and simple:

“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:3)

That phrase “that they may know You” is powerful. This isn’t about knowing God like you know the sun rises or gravity works.

It’s personal. Your heart recognizing God’s voice and your soul resting in His presence.

More Than Knowing About Jesus

You might know about Jesus—His miracles, His teaching, His life in ancient Israel.

But knowing Him—that’s another thing.

Walking with Him, feeling Him near, experiencing His presence deep inside.

John wanted believers to have this same certainty:

“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13)

John doesn’t say, “that you may hope you have eternal life.” No, he says, “that you may know.”

That’s confidence—not arrogance—just a heart anchored in a living relationship with Jesus.

An Experiential Faith

The first believers didn’t live on secondhand faith. They experienced Christ firsthand.

John said this about that experience:

“We know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ.” (1 John 5:20)

You can almost hear the peace in those words—no fear, no boasting, just quiet confidence.

They didn’t just learn theology; they met a living Savior.

Paul’s Testimony – Confidence in a Person

Paul nailed it when he said:

“I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” (2 Timothy 1:12)

Notice Paul doesn’t say, “I know what I have believed.” He says, “I know whom.” Faith in a Person—Jesus Christ—is stronger than faith in creeds or institutions.

Those support us, but only Christ holds us steady through life’s storms. Paul met Jesus. He trusted Jesus. And that gave him assurance unshaken by time or trials.

A Faith That Can Rest

That same invitation is for us today. You can know Jesus—not just in doctrine or theology—but personally, deeply, and joyfully.

Early believers had hard lives, but their peace came from this, they knew their Lord.

Once you know Him, you find peace that doesn’t depend on circumstances—a peace steady when everything else wobbles.

Reflection Questions

• When you think about your faith, do you describe it as knowing about Jesus or knowing Him personally?

  
  

• What practices help you move from knowing about Him to knowing Him?
  

• Paul said, “I know whom I have believed.” If you finished that sentence, what would you say?
  

• How might your daily confidence change if you lived with the assurance early believers had?
  

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You that eternal life isn’t just a future hope—it’s knowing You here and now. Draw me beyond secondhand faith to a living friendship with You. Help me know—not just believe—that You are faithful and strong enough to hold all I give You. In Your steady, unchanging name I pray, amen. Blog