So let me ask you a pointed question.  Do you know Christ Jesus?  What does that mean?  I’ve heard this question asked from so many points of view that I don’t think I understand the question anymore.  What if I asked you… do you know George Bush?  I’m sure you know who he is… but do you really know him?  What if I asked if you knew Jimmy Carter?  Same response I assume.  You could read President Carter’s biography and learn a little more about who he is as a person.  So… let me ask you again, do you know Christ Jesus?

Have you read the bible and learned more about the man, Christ Jesus?  Does that mean that you know Him?  So we go back to the original question… do you know Christ Jesus?  Does it suddenly seem rather insignificant to have read about Jesus and then say… that you know who He is?  I think so.  There’s more to it than that.

The truth is…It really doesn’t matter how you answer that question.  Answering yes will not save your soul.  It seems that we’ve taught an entire generation that all you have to do is say, I know Jesus… and you get a free pass.  If you understand Christ Jesus, the disciples, and His teaching, then you will grab hold of what it means to know Jesus.  You will open your eyes and realize that just saying… YES… isn’t enough.

Do you have someone in your life that influences you in a positive way?  Someone that shaped you into who you are today?  Do you know someone that helped form your opinions, beliefs, work ethic, and your attitude?  How do you know this person?  How would you describe them to someone else?  Are they still around?

Knowing Christ Jesus means simply this… you listen to His teachings.  You watch His example.  You allow His teachings to shape you into a new man.  He forms your opinions, beliefs, ethic, and your attitude.  In doing so, your life is transformed in ways you would never expect.  This is knowing Jesus… and the evidence is when you are living as the best version of yourself that you can possibly attain… today.

There are people in your life that will help show you what knowing Jesus looks like.  I was one of the lucky ones.  As I was growing up, my father showed me what following Jesus looked like.   My grandfathers showed me what following Jesus looked like.  But as I grew into an adult… that really didn’t help me get to know Jesus for myself.  I knew what Jesus looked like through them, but I didn’t personally know how to follow Christ and His teachings.  This is a journey and a relationship that is unique to every single person.

When I began to read about Christ, understand His teachings, and finally comprehend the sacrifice He made on the cross for me, He reshapes me into a new, better version of me.  I went from knowing about this Jesus Christ person… to knowing Christ.

If you’ve read a few verses in the bible and try to be a good person… you don’t really know Jesus Christ.  Trust me on this one.  Dig in a little deeper and allow Him to shape you, then you’ll understand.  And for all of us guys who know Christ Jesus, it’s paramount that we live our lives in a way that shows others what knowing Jesus looks like.  Your actions speak louder than you words.

Let me ask you again… Do you know Jesus Christ?  Really know Him?  May you never stop learning, searching, and allowing Him to shape you and mold you into the better man.

Peace,
Greg
Acts 4:31
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