What does it mean to know God and Jesus?
In His final prayer before the cross, Jesus revealed the very essence of salvation:
“This is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.”
(John 17:3)
Eternal life is not based on religious performance or affiliation—it is rooted in knowing God the Father and His Son. But what does it mean to “know” Them?
This is not merely an academic question. According to Jesus, your eternal destiny hinges on this very thing. Let’s explore what the Bible really teaches about this life-changing kind of knowledge.
1. Not Just Knowing About—But Truly Knowing
At the most basic level, to know God includes understanding who He truly is. Jesus declared that the Father is the only true God (John 17:3), and Paul affirmed:
“To us there is but one God, the Father… and one Lord Jesus Christ.”
(1 Corinthians 8:6)
This foundational truth—that God is the Father and Jesus is His only begotten Son—is essential. But knowledge of who They are is just the beginning.
Even the devil knows this truth—but it doesn't change him. He has head knowledge, but no relationship or surrender. And so, he remains lost.
“The devils also believe, and tremble.” (James 2:19)
Eternal life comes not from correct belief alone, but from a living, transforming relationship with the Father and the Son.
2. To “Know” God Is to Enter Intimate Union with Him
When Jesus said in John 17:3, “This is life eternal, that they might know Thee…”, He used the Greek word ginosko, which refers to deep, personal, experiential knowledge. It’s not shallow awareness or memorized facts—it’s the kind of knowledge that comes from close relationship and shared life.
In Scripture, this word carries profound intimacy:
“And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived...”
(Genesis 4:1)
Adam’s “knowing” of Eve wasn’t casual—it was union that bore fruit. In the same way, to “know” God means to be united with Him in such a way that the fruit of righteousness is produced in our lives.
This “knowing” is spiritual, not physical. It means sharing in the divine life through the presence of God's own Spirit. Jesus explained this in John 14:
“If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him.”
(John 14:23)
This is what it means to know God—the Father and the Son making Their home in us. This indwelling happens through the Holy Spirit, which is the shared presence of the Father and Son in the believer:
“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” (John 14:18)
“At that day ye shall know that I am in My Father, and ye in Me, and I in you.” (John 14:20)
“But ye know Him [the Spirit]; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” (John 14:17)
True knowledge of God involves being spiritually joined to Him. It is the new covenant experience, where God writes His law in our hearts, and we walk in His Spirit.
“Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27)
“Know ye not... that Jesus Christ is in you?” (2 Corinthians 13:5)
“Hereby we know that He abideth in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us.” (1 John 3:24)
To “know” God, then, is to be born of His Spirit, to live in communion with Him, and to walk daily in His presence. This is the knowledge that leads to eternal life—not informational knowledge, but transformational union.
3. Knowing God Means Knowing His Ways and Character
Moses longed for this deeper knowledge when he prayed:
“Show me now Thy way, that I may know Thee.”
(Exodus 33:13)
God responded by revealing not just His glory—but His character:
“The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth…”
(Exodus 34:6)
To know God is to experience His heart—His mercy, patience, and goodness—and be shaped by it.
4. Jesus Reveals the Father Perfectly
“He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father.” (John 14:9)
“God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself.” (2 Corinthians 5:19)
“God was manifest in the flesh.” (1 Timothy 3:16)
Jesus didn’t just speak about the Father—He revealed Him. His words, His works, and His cross all unveil the true character of God. To know Jesus is to gaze into the heart of the Father.
5. Knowing Means Living Their Character
Knowing God transforms how we live. It brings us into alignment with His own character. Some key attributes we are called to share:
- LOVE (Romans 5:8, John 15:13)
- HUMILITY (Philippians 2:5–8, John 13:4–5)
- SACRIFICE (Isaiah 53, 2 Corinthians 8:9)
- RIGHTEOUSNESS (Psalm 145:17, Hebrews 7:26)
- MERCY (Micah 7:18, Isaiah 55:7)
- OBEDIENCE (John 4:34, Luke 22:42)
The more we know Them, the more their attributes become visible in us.
6. Knowing God Means Transformation
“Add to your faith... knowledge... godliness… For if these things be in you… they make you… fruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
(2 Peter 1:5–8)
True knowledge of God reshapes the heart. It produces fruit—not just belief, but a transformed life.
7. Knowing Means Following and Obeying
“Christ… left us an example, that ye should follow His steps.” (1 Peter 2:21)
“Be ye followers of God… and walk in love.” (Ephesians 5:1–2)
“Why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46)
To know God is to walk in obedience, follow Christ’s example, and keep His commandments out of love.
8. Knowing Means Dying to Self
“If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
(Luke 9:23)
“I am crucified with Christ… Christ liveth in me.”
(Galatians 2:20)
“Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
(Romans 12:2)
Knowing God calls us to die to self and live in the Spirit.
9. Knowing Means Access to Divine Power
“The gospel… is the power of God unto salvation.” (Romans 1:16)
“His divine power hath given unto us all things… through the knowledge of Him.” (2 Peter 1:3)
To know God is to access His power—not just for forgiveness, but for victory. It is power to overcome sin and live as sons and daughters of God.
Conclusion: Eternal Life Comes from Knowing Them
- “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings…” -(Philippians 3:10)
- “That we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
- “This is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” (John 17:3)
To know God and Jesus Christ is to be united to Them, transformed by Them, and empowered through Them. It is to enter into intimate communion, bear their likeness, and walk as children of the light.
May our desire be not merely to know of Them, but to know Them truly—intimately, spiritually, and eternally.