How can I know Jesus?
If you have been searching for who Jesus is (watch our video here), then perhaps the next question you have is “How do I know Jesus?” If so, please read on.
Knowing Jesus—we mean really having a person-to-person relationship with Him—is not something for only some elite group of spiritualists. No, if Jesus is who He says He is (He has proven it with incontrovertible evidence), then knowing Him is as easy as we are making it sound here.
In Jesus Christ, God verifiably reaches down to man. The Son of God, Jesus Christ, enters history, born as a Man. Since this is so, it is totally possible for any man or woman to know God. In fact, Jesus came to earth that we might know God, through Him. To know Jesus is to know God! Jesus did not come to establish a religion for us to reach God, but He came to give us the gift of a relationship, in which God reaches us.
It follows then, that you—whoever you are, wherever you are, whatever your state is—can come to know Jesus today. But what must you do?
The Work is Done
The good news is this: Jesus has done all the work for this relationship to work. He died on the cross: taking our place of punishment for rebellion against a Holy God, covering our sin that separates us from God, and paying the price for our forgiveness. Jesus did this because He loves. The greatest expression of God’s love is giving His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins. The Bible says in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish but have eternal life.”
Not only did Jesus die, but He also rose again from the dead. The Bible says in Romans 4:25 that Jesus was raised for “our justification”—meaning, raised to justify our standing before God as those who are forgiven and restored to a relationship with God, as if we’d always been! You don’t have to “do” anything religious or ritualistic to earn God’s favor for a relationship with Him. That said, none of what follows in “our part”—believing, confessing, repenting, receiving, growing, walking, and sharing—would be possible without what Jesus did.
Our Part in Knowing Jesus
Since Jesus made the way for us to be in a relationship with God it only remains for you only to believe, confess, repent, and receive.
1. BELIEVE: in who Jesus is—the Son of God and Son of Man, Savior and Lord of those who will believe in Him; in what He has done—His work on the cross and His resurrection; in what He has said—all the instruction, inspiration, and promises in His book, the Bible. The Bible promises “Believe in [put your faith in] the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved…” Acts 16:31
2. CONFESS: agree with God about your standing before Him as a sinner by nature, one who has offended God because of your sin, and is in need of a mediator and advocate with God; your need for a Savior, one who can save you from you sin, its consequences, and from your own destructive self. The Bible explains, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse is from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
3. REPENT: turn away from the old life you once lived, and turn in the direction of the new life that Jesus now gives you to live; a life of a transformed mind and heart that worships God, being continually transformed as we continually turn away from sin and self, and turn to God in worship. The Bible is inclusive in invitation, but firm in instruction when it says, “Repent therefore, and return so that your sins may be wiped away…” Acts 3:19
4. RECEIVE: all the blessings and goodness God has for you in this new life with Him. The Bible says, “As many as received Him to them He gave the right to become the children of God, even to those who believe in His Name.” John 1:12; and when we receive Jesus, we receive with Him “all things” there are to receive from God. Read Romans 8:32 and Ephesians 1:3 for these promises.
If you feel the pressing need, or burning desire to know Jesus, today could be a brand-new start in your life.
Continuing to Know Jesus
As with any love relationship, knowing Jesus must be continual, a life of worship and friendship. It doesn’t stop with believing, confessing, repenting, and receiving. One must now grow, walk, and share.
5. GROW: in your maturity as a Christian, because when we first put our faith in Jesus, we are like babies. Then we need to grow! Thus, the Bible says, “like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word [the Bible], so that by it, you may grow in respect to salvation…” 1 Peter 2:2. As we read the word of God, we grow in our relationship with the God of the word.
6. WALK: with Jesus, every day, through every circumstance of life. Our relationship with Jesus permeates every sphere of life. He is always with us and has promised us to “never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Therefore, we should “walk in a manner worthy of” our calling.
7. SHARE: your life with other believers, and become a regular participant in a local church, as a member. Jesus commands his followers to gather regularly as the Church (Matthew 16:18 & 18:15-20, Hebrews 10:24-25); the good news of Jesus with other people, as someone did with you, so they too may know Jesus. Jesus desires for people from everywhere to be in a relationship with Him. That’s why He instructed His disciples before leaving them physically, “Go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15
Kenny Damara