How can we know Jesus more intimately?
During my early years of being a Christ-follower, I missed an important aspect of the Christian life.
Christ not only desires I know Him as Savior and Lord, but also that I continue to grow in knowing Him more intimately on a daily basis.
Because this is the only way to let Christ live in and through my life, and for others to see Jesus in me.
Eventually, this became my mission statement for my speaking, writing, and blogging ministry:
To know Jesus more and make Him known.
To really know someone, we spend time with that person. For instance, we know our spouse and children more than anyone else.
Who we live with, we grow to know more each day through two-way communication and interaction.
Know Jesus
These same simple principles hold true to K.N.O.W. Jesus.
K – Keep our relationship alive and well. Cultivate our love relationship with Jesus as if our life depends on it. Because most of the time, dear friend, we will find this to be the case. A growing and vibrant friendship with Jesus makes a world of difference in the ups and downs of life.
N – Never stop investing time. My adult son moved halfway across the country. It drove home the point to continue to connect with him. We frequently text, call and FaceTime. We also started a family group on Marco Polo so all of us can send and receive videos.
Make it a habit to spend time with Christ. Connect with who Jesus is by reading the Bible and getting to know the words Christ spoke, the way He prayed, and the words spoken about Him. Never move away from Jesus emotionally or spiritually.
Spend time with Christ. Never move away from Jesus emotionally or spiritually. @FridayKaren #blog Click To TweetKnow Jesus More
O – Open our heart fully. Maybe our heart has endured heartbreak from a spouse, kids, parents or friends. So we closed off part of our heart to protect it. But if we over guard our heart, we risk closing it off to Jesus.
To know Jesus fully is to open our heart fully to Him. Be still in His presence. Bask in the light of His glory. Tell Jesus how lovely He is and how much we love Him. Express our dreams, fears, hopes and heartbreak to the heart of Jesus.
W – Walk daily with Jesus. I’d much rather go on a walk with my husband or a friend than to walk alone. But when I walk alone, I love to talk to Jesus and imagine I invited Him along. Jesus longs to walk with us every step along life’s path. This is a great way to grow in our knowledge of Christ.
As we walk with Jesus, He’s there during decisions, celebrations, tragedy and the everyday grind. He’s there for it all. Every morning invite Jesus to come along with you throughout the day.
In Peter’s second letter to believers, he encouraged them not to be carried away from their firm beliefs in Scripture and knowing Christ, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 3:18a (NIV)
Make Jesus Known
Years ago, I asked the Lord to make me an influencer for Him. I not only wanted to make an impact on others in my ministry, but also on my family, friends, co-workers, neighbors and even online. I used to underestimate my online reach for Christ, not any more.
I’m intentional to share about Christ and what He has done in my life across all social media venues. Also, I’m not ashamed to talk to others in person about Jesus, to share the gospel.
“For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.‘ How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” Romans 10:13-14 (ESV, emphasis added)
How can knowing Jesus help us make Christ known to others?
As we know Jesus intimately in all the ways mentioned above, something happens; people see Jesus in us. When we nurture our relationship with Jesus, we nurture the impact we make on others for Christ.
When we nurture our relationship with Jesus, we nurture the impact we make on others for Christ. @FridayKaren #impact Click To TweetK – Keep our relationship alive and well.
N – Never stop investing time.
O – Open our heart fully.
W – Walk daily with Jesus.
N – Nurture our impact on others.
Nurture our Impact
A close-knit relationship with Jesus changes us from the inside out. And it spills over into our other relationships in communities in person and online.
Also see, Worship Beyond Music and Church.
Featured image taken while filming for our YouTube channel, Friday’s Forever.
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So good! How can we possibly follow and love someone we do not know?
Exactly, Michele. I pray we spend time with Christ and never move away from Him.
So many good points here. I especially like the one about needing to be intentional in spending time with Jesus.
Thanks, Barbara. It seems like most areas of growing in the Christian life are about being intentional and choosing to do those things that matue us in this relationship with Christ.
Karen, I like acronyms. I want to fully open my heart to Jesus so I can know Him and make Him known!
Yes, Debbie, me too! “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 3:18a (NIV)
Oh this is so true! “ When we nurture our relationship with Jesus, we nurture the impact we make on others for Christ.” Yes. Thank you, Karen!
Glad this spoke to you, Bethany. Nurturing our relationship with Jesus helps others see Jesus in us!
And we must continue to grow daily if we want to finish well…
Agree, Jan. This is not a Sunday only Christian kind of thing. It happens every day of the week with intentionality.
It’s so important to be purposeful about knowing God, isn’t it! It can be easy to drift away and take our relationship with Him for granted. I can get too busy doing things “for” God (or so I think) and neglect time with Him.
That’s so true, Donna. When all along the Lord wants an intimate relationship with us, knowing Him more and more.