Known by God

​1 Corinthians 8:3 ~ “But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.”
 
There is an old adage that states, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” I suppose in the workforce, or in sales or in most any enterprise of human ingenuity, it does help that you would know someone of influence to help propel your endeavor. However, in truth it is not who you know, but who knows you. Attempt to enter into the palatial estate of some monarch, or to approach the gates of the presidential residence and, even if you declared your knowledge of the highest ranking official in your nation, you will not be admitted entrance unless they know you.
 
Even Esther, the beloved wife of the king, had no means of approaching the throne except that she had been summoned. We read in Esther 4:11, “All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law—to be put to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter so that he may live. But as for me, I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days.” Who is it then that would have the audacity to approach uninvited the Heavenly Throne were sits the King of kings? Consider the statement of our LORD in Luke 13:26-27, “Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’” It is a dangerous condition when a person thinks that they know the LORD when, in fact, the issue is this: does He know you?
 
Before we explore our text for today, let us understand that there is no doubt that God is fully aware of every single individual who has existed, does exist, or ever will exist on this earth. This knowledge is not merely about awareness of presence but of real relationship. The terrifying command to depart from the LORD is based on this. Jesus said in Matthew 7:23, “And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” He did not say “you never knew Me” but “I never knew you.” To our opening illustration—what if it was the child of the monarch attempting to enter his presence? Admittance would be assured, for the regal authority is in a genuine, endearing relationship with his own child.
 
But, do you then need to know the LORD? Of course, and that brings us to the opening of our text today: “but if anyone loves God.” Let us open this up with a question: Have you come to know the LORD Jesus and love Him? Beyond a genuine interest in His existence or a warm fondness for who He is, do you have a real love for the Living God? Many people love more His promises than His Person. They love peace, grace, forgiveness, wisdom, power, provisions, and the list could continue for generations. They love what God can give… but do they love Him? Jesus said in Matthew 10:37-38, “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” Have you set Jesus above all other earthly affections? Do you love Him more than even your own life? There are those who might ask why we must love Him in such a way. Simply this: He is the One who created you, sustains you, and will save you if you trust in Him. Why would anyone love God with less affection than they love anything else?
 
And more than that, we love because He first loved us (see 1 John 4:19). We have come to know and rely on the love the Father has for us—and that love then is placed within our hearts that we should love Him. Through the Holy Spirit who indwells the people of Christ, we come to love the LORD with greater and greater desire. The test of your love is simple, and found in 1 John 2:3, “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.”
 
This brings us into the second part of our text today, and it is a clarifying truth:  we are “known by God.” If you love Him you have been adopted by Him and are His child. You are known by God. He has set His affection upon you and has invited you always to be in His presence. Galatians 4:9 gives us a very good question, “But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?” Dear Christian, test your love for Jesus with these questions: do you still long for the principles of this world? Do you have a greater affection for your own personal satisfaction than the honor of the One who saved you? Though our love for God may be a weak, frail and fractured thing—nonetheless, let it be genuine.
 
Remember what our LORD said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). If we are known by God, let us leave off the affections of the world and follow the Good Shepherd who loves us.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

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