How can we ensure we truly know God as Jesus describes in John 7:28? The Scene in John 7:28 “Then Jesus cried out in the temple courts, teaching and saying, ‘You know Me and you know where I am from. I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is truthful; Him you do not know.’” (John 7:28) • Crowds knew Jesus’ hometown and lineage, yet missed His divine origin. • Jesus links true knowledge of God with receiving Him as the One sent by the Father. Recognizing Jesus as the One Sent by the Father • John 17:3 — “Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” • John 14:6–7 — “No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would know My Father as well.” • Know God by embracing Jesus’ divine mission, virgin birth, sinless life, atoning death, bodily resurrection, and promised return. Embracing Scripture as God’s Self-Revelation • 2 Timothy 3:16 — “All Scripture is God-breathed.” • Daily reading, meditation, and memorization anchor us in God’s character. • Scripture corrects false images of God formed by culture or emotion. Receiving Spiritual Life by Faith in Christ • John 1:12 — “To all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” • New birth (John 3:3-7) provides the spiritual capacity to know God personally. • Repentance and faith are the doorway; religious familiarity is not enough (Matthew 7:21-23). Walking in Obedience to Christ’s Teaching • 1 John 2:3-4 — “By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments.” • Obedience flows from love, not legalism (John 14:15). • Areas to practice: speech, sexuality, finances, relationships, worship. Cultivating Ongoing Communion Through the Spirit • Galatians 4:6 — “God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’” • Prayer, worship, and surrender keep fellowship vibrant. • The Spirit illuminates Scripture, convicts of sin, and empowers service (John 16:13-14). Guarding Against False Knowing • Intellectual assent without transformation (James 2:19). • Tradition devoid of truth (Mark 7:6-8). • Emotional experiences without doctrinal grounding (Ephesians 4:14). • Evaluate by the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and love for believers (1 John 4:7-8). Summary Checklist: Marks of Someone Who Truly Knows God • Has repented and trusted Christ alone for salvation. • Confesses Jesus publicly as Lord and the Father as the One who sent Him. • Loves and studies Scripture as ultimate authority. • Displays growing obedience and Christ-like character. • Enjoys prayerful, Spirit-led fellowship with the Father. • Perseveres in faith and refuses substitutes for the true God. |
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