One of Jesus’ last prayers was that all future believers would know him and his Father and have eternal life.
“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” John 17:3
The Greek word for know is ginosko, meaning to know, to understand, to perceive. Here, Jesus was not just meaning that we are to gain head knowledge about himself and the Father, but to get to know them intimately…. to really know them. Yes, it’s important to read the Bible to gain knowledge about God’s principles and to learn about him and his Son, Jesus, but Jesus wants us to really know him and his Father at a deeper level. This is something we can not do just in our minds, our brains. We must get to know them in our hearts.
We get to know Jesus and God the Father in an intimate way through the Holy Spirit.
Three chapters earlier in the book of John, Jesus told his disciples that his Father would send the Holy Spirit to them after he departs to be with his Father in heaven.
“But the Holy Spirit will come and help you, because the Father will send the Spirit to take my place. The Spirit will teach you everything and will remind you of what I said while I was with you.” John 14:26
One role of the Holy Spirit, as Helper, is to guide us into truth. Another role is to help us experience God in a personal way. True life transformation occurs when we experience and embrace God’s love in our hearts. As you read scripture or are exposed to the truth of scripture through teaching or preaching, ask God to make it real to you. Ask God to reveal himself to you in your heart, not just in your mind.
Here’s an example. You read in scripture that you are a child of God because you have accepted Jesus. Galatians 3:26 You believe that people who accept Jesus in their hearts become a child of God, but you have been unable to embrace the idea that God really accepts you and that you, indeed, are a child of God. Prayerfully ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you in your heart that this is so. Ask him to to touch you heart in a way that this truth is personally known to you.
A deep need we all have is to feel accepted. When we truly feel accepted by God deep in our hearts, we’re less likely to turn to unhealthy habits to try to fill this void that only God can fill. God wants each of his children to experience his love and acceptance and to experience the eternal life in an abundant way while we are living on this earth. The Holy Spirit was sent by God to believers in Christ to reveal himself to us in a personal way and this enables us to feel accepted by God and to live this full life now.
A Question to Reflect On:
Are you experiencing God’s love in a meaningful way? If not, consider asking the Holy Spirit to help you receive God’s truths in your heart.
Helpful Resources:
Article – It’s About the Relationship
Read more Blog Posts About the Holy Spirit
