Often the proper acknowledgement of one thing aids in the rightful acknowledgement of something else. However, when there is a lack of acknowledging something true, that can lead to the missing of other realities. As Paul noted, some are not able to accept the things of the Spirit of God, and even view them as folly, because such things are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14) The mind of the flesh has difficulty accepting spiritual truths.
As Jesus was in the upper room with His disciples prior to being arrested in the garden, in one of His conversations that was first a response to Thomas and then Philip, we read. . .
“(6) Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (7) If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” (8) Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” (9) Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” (John 14:6-9 ESV)
Because of the unity of the Father and the Son, Jesus stated to know Him was to know the Father also! The knowing of the one was to lead to the other. However, though the world may struggle accepting this truth, that acknowledgment does not stop there when it comes to our life lived in the Lord!
John wrote. . .
“(1) See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” (1 John 3:1 ESV)
In the world’s refusal to duly acknowledge God, there occurs the refusal to duly acknowledge us as well. Let us be forewarned and not surprised. But in all of this let us recognize how intertwined acknowledging the Father, the Son, and even ourselves truly is! Desiring for those around us to come to know as they ought, let us live in a manner that will aid in us being genuinely known as God’s children, leading to knowing Christ as the only Lord and Savior, and to then know the Father to Whom the Way has been provided! May this “know, know, know” be met by a “yes, yes, yes” of surrender to the truth of God!
Have a great day LIVING FOR GOD TO BE KNOWN!
Carl
