Understanding Christian Discipleship (Part Two)

From the desk of Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D. In examining the passage of 1 John 2:3-6, we saw that it mentions a type of knowing for Christ followers. The type of knowing John refers to isn’t the saving knowledge of God, for every child of God has this. John says to us, “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3). Jesus is speaking on behalf of those who have a saving knowledge in this passage. The Greek term for “know” used here implies a deep level of intimacy. Jesus is describing eternal life as an intimate relationship with God through Himself. This type of knowing comes through fellowship, sharing, and communion (experiential knowing). Every believer does not know the Lord in this manner! This is shown in Jesus’ exchange with His disciples. We read, (7) “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” (8) Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” (9) Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” (John 14:7-9). After making the announcement that He is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), Jesus goes on to say to all the disciples, not just to Philip, “If you [Greek, plural] had known (a deep level of intimacy) Me [implication: but you don’t], My Father also; from now on you [Greek plural] know Him, and have seen Him” (verse 7). In verse 9, Jesus speaks only to Philip because the word “you” [Greek singular]. Clearly there was a sense in which Philip and the other disciples did not know the One in whom they’d placed their faith. In other words, the believer who knows God as the true and living God and knows Jesus as his/her Savior may be very much a stranger to God in terms of intimate knowledge of His character and ways! This is where the need for understanding Christian discipleship comes into play! Be encouraged!