IYKYK

 I was recently reading the story of Jairus' daughter in Luke 8, when the 53rd verse struck a chord in my heart.  The story is about Jesus is traveling around in the region of Galilee, preaching and healing. A synagogue ruler named Jairus fell at His feet, begging him to come heal his 12 year old daughter. The text says that this distraught father knew his beloved daughter was dying.   Jesus, healing folks on the way, arrived at the house to help.  The mourners were outside wailing, because Jesus was too late. Jesus orders them to stop wailing, saying "she is not dead, but asleep." He proceeds to go into the house and "awaken" her.  Verse 53 says of the crowd, "they laughed at him (him being Jesus) because they KNEW she was dead."   

Interesting that of all the verses in this beautiful story, I like this one???  It speaks of knowledge without faith.  Things we KNOW , but when Jesus is factored in, it is not uncommon for what we know to change into what we thought.  

My parents became Christians when I was in 2nd grade.  Dad began preaching when I was in 5th grade. Our household became one filled with Bible scripture--reading and memorizing.  Over the years, my belief system began to develop.  I knew exactly what I believed and why I believed it.  Many years later with continued study, some of those beliefs have changed and a deeper understanding of my faith has evolved.  I have no doubt that with more study this will continued.  And what I KNOW (or think I know} today will also change and evolve.  I am thankful that the word  of God is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12).

KNOWING is important to God!  Over and over again he reminds us to spend time with him and his word.  In the  time of the patriarchs, God shows his character by looking out for, guiding and protecting his people. Psalms he tells us to look at nature and begin to know him.  He is evident if we "Be still"  (Psalms 46:10). The prophets remind us to look back at history to learn about God's love. In the New Testament, Jesus tells us the if we know him, we know God.  (John 14:7) A life of study in his word not only helps us to know who God is,  but to know how to please him and what his plans are for us.  

In the Greek, there are several words translated "know". Knowing is not just experiencing him, not just knowing his attributes, not just knowing his word.  Memorizing scripture does not determine knowing.  One word for knowing is "GINOSKO"  and it means absolute knowing!  This is the word in I John.  

I John is my very favorite book in the Bible.  It steps on my toes to keep my feet on the path of light.  It pierces my heart and provides clearer vision of sin and atonement. It challenges my allegiance to God and not the world.  And it reminds me to love.  

In chapter 5, it says "I write these things to you who believe in the Son of God so that you may KNOW you have eternal life."  WOW! This word is ABSOLUTE KNOWING!!  No longer do we have to just "hope" we are saved...we can KNOW it!  This is our Blessed Assurance, just as the song says.  We  can know God.  We can know his voice and listen to it. (John 10) We can know his plan, worked out in centuries to help us know him.  And we can  know we are saved!

Knowing you are saved and that you will one day be with the Lord, everlasting, in his very presence, worshipping with generations of his people void  of the world's dark heaviness----what could be better???  Because if you know, you know!

Blessings

Neva

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