Learn how to know God through Jesus Christ in a personal way by hearing His voice, trusting His promises, and following Him with faith each day.
The Bible teaches that knowing God is deeply personal. It is more than learning facts or holding right ideas. Scripture uses simple, beautiful pictures to help us understand this relationship. It tells us that we know God the way a child knows a loving father, a wife knows her husband, a subject knows a good king, and a sheep knows its shepherd. In every one of these pictures, the person who knows God looks up to Him, trusts Him, and depends on Him. And in every picture, God lovingly cares for the one who belongs to Him.
That means knowing God includes the wonderful comfort of being known, loved, and cared for by Him. We do not simply search for God from far away and hope to find Him. He allows Himself to be known. He comes near. He welcomes His people into a relationship of love, trust, and care. What a mercy that the God of heaven would make room in His heart for us.
We Know God Through Jesus
The Bible also teaches that we know God only through Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9), and “No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). This means that if we want to know what God is like, we look at Jesus. In Him, the heart of the Father is made known to us. Through Jesus, we do not have to wonder if God is kind, holy, merciful, or faithful. We see His love clearly in the One who came to save us.
What Knowing Jesus Meant for the First Disciples
For the first disciples, knowing Jesus changed everything. They were ordinary people, yet Jesus called them to be with Him and sent them out to preach (Mark 3:14). As they listened to Him, walked with Him, and watched His works, their hearts were opened little by little to who He truly was. Peter confessed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16), and others recognized that Jesus had “the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). To be chosen, taught, and loved by Jesus filled their lives with purpose, loyalty, wonder, and joy.
The good news is that this kind of relationship did not end when Jesus returned to heaven. Because Jesus rose from the dead, people everywhere can know Him personally today. We do not walk with Him physically as the first disciples did, but we truly know Him through faith. He is present with His people by His Spirit, and He still speaks through the truth of Scripture. Knowing Jesus today is still a real relationship of trust, discipleship, and daily fellowship—and it is still able to transform a life.
Knowing Jesus Means Hearing and Following Him
Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). His voice comes to us in His claims, His promises, and His call. He says, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35), “the good shepherd” (John 10:14), and “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). He also says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). We hear His voice when we believe what He says, trust what He promises, and answer His call to come and follow Him. There is rest for the tired heart and safety for the soul that stays near to Him.
To know Jesus is to be saved by Jesus. He says of His sheep, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:28). What a promise for every believer. Those who know Him are not only guided by Him now, but also kept by Him forever. He saves us from sin, guilt, and death, and He holds us securely in His care. The hands that were pierced for us are the hands that will never let us go.
Conclusion
Knowing God is not cold religion or distant belief. It is a living relationship made possible through Jesus Christ. He reveals the Father, calls us to Himself, speaks through His Word, and keeps those who trust Him. If your heart longs to know God more, come to Jesus, listen to His voice, trust His promises, and follow Him one day at a time. There is no safer place, no greater joy, and no deeper peace than walking with Him.
If you can, take a few quiet moments today to open His Word, listen for His voice, and ask Jesus to help you know Him more.
Reflection question: In what small way might Jesus be inviting you to draw a little closer to Him today?
Even the smallest step toward Jesus is precious to Him, and He is faithful to meet you with grace.
Lord Jesus, please draw us closer to You and help us rest in Your love each day. Amen.
Minister A Francine Green, May 2026