Have you ever wondered why some Christians seem to radiate an inner strength and power, while others struggle to find their footing in faith? The answer may lie not in how much we do for God, but in how well we truly know Him.
At the heart of a vibrant Christian life is an intimate, transformative relationship with God. It’s not enough to simply claim belief or even perform religious acts in His name. The real power comes from pursuing a deep, personal knowledge of who God is and allowing that knowledge to shape our very being.
Consider the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:21-23. He warns that not everyone who calls Him “Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of the Father. Even more startling, He declares to some who have prophesied and performed miracles in His name: “I never knew you.” This isn’t about salvation, but about relational disconnect. Jesus is highlighting the difference between using His name and truly walking in intimacy and obedience with Him.
This principle echoes throughout Scripture. James 4:8 encourages us to “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” It’s an invitation to a reciprocal relationship. As we pursue God, He responds by revealing more of Himself to us. This spiritual dance of pursuit and response is the key to unlocking true strength and power in our Christian walk.
The apostle Paul captures this beautifully in Philippians 3:10-11 (Amplified Version):
“[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognising and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection…”
Paul’s burning desire wasn’t for more spiritual gifts or miraculous abilities. His ultimate goal was to know Christ more deeply, understanding that everything else would flow from that intimate knowledge.
So how do we cultivate this transformative knowledge of God? Here are some key insights:
1. Pursue Him wholeheartedly: The prophet Hosea urges, “Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord” (Hosea 6:3). Make knowing God your primary spiritual goal.
2. Obey His Word: 1 John 2:3 tells us, “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.” Obedience is not just about following rules; it’s about aligning our lives with God’s character and will.
3. Love God and others: “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:8). As we grow in our knowledge of God, our capacity to love should increase.
4. Separate yourself from worldliness: 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 calls us to “Come out from them and be separate… Then I will receive you and will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters.” Drawing near to God often requires stepping away from things that hinder our relationship with Him.
5. Remain connected to the source: Jesus uses the metaphor of a vine and branches in John 15, emphasising our need to stay vitally connected to Him. “Apart from me, you can do nothing,” He reminds us.
As we pursue this deep knowledge of God, something remarkable happens. We begin to be transformed from the inside out. The apostle Paul describes this process in Ephesians 3:16-19:
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
This passage outlines a beautiful progression:
1. Inner strengthening through the Holy Spirit
2. Christ dwelling in our hearts
3. Being rooted in love
4. Grasping the immensity of Christ’s love
5. Being filled with the fullness of God
As we allow God to work in us this way, we find ourselves becoming strong – not in our own power, but in His. This strength isn’t about physical might or even miraculous abilities (though those may come). It’s an inner fortitude, a spiritual resilience that flows from being deeply rooted in who God is and who we are in Him.
From this place of strength, we naturally begin to do great exploits for God. But these aren’t forced or contrived actions. They’re the organic outflow of a life saturated with the presence and power of God. Healings may occur around us, prophetic words may flow, and we may find ourselves impacting lives in ways we never imagined – all because we’ve prioritised knowing God above all else.
The invitation is clear: Don’t chase after power, anointing, or even “results” in your Christian life. Instead, make it your determined purpose to know God more deeply. Pray for revelation and understanding. Spend time in His Word not just for information, but for transformation. Allow the Holy Spirit to prune away anything that hinders your intimacy with Christ.
As you do, you’ll find yourself becoming strong in ways you never expected. You’ll tap into a wellspring of divine power that flows not from your own efforts, but from the indwelling presence of Christ. And from that strength will come exploits – not for your glory, but for His.
So today, will you accept the challenge? Will you make knowing God your highest priority? The journey may not always be easy, but the rewards are beyond measure. As you pursue Him, He will respond. And in that beautiful dance of relationship, you’ll discover the true strength and power that come from being known by God.
