To Know

to become acquainted with, to know; get a knowledge of perceive, feel
What does it really mean to KNOW someone? If we stop to reflect for a second on our social networking pages and life in general, we may have a lot of people we call friends. Maybe a better word would be acquaintance. See the definition of acquaintance is someone recognized by sight or someone known, though not intimately. All along the pathway of life we encounter people, some who stick with us for the rest of our lives, others who stop for a season along the way. Its not necessarily that we want to part ways it just happens. For one reason or another we both stop putting in the effort to really stay connected and know one another. So then they fall into the category of acquaintance. See if we are honest to have friends requires effort. It requires both parties to be committed to staying in touch and building that friendship intimacy. If one person is unwilling then the relationship can never truly blossom into a great friendship. We all have people that it's just easy to be friends with them. They have inviting personalities, outgoing fun enthusiastic, full of life. So we are drawn to being near them. We want to have an intimate friendship with them. This is much like our spouses. To have a fulfilled lasting relationship, we have to be intimate with one another. Have meaningful conversation and talk about life. Each one needs to be transparent, not afraid to open up and peel back the layers of their heart. That is true intimacy, when you feel that you can let your guard down and be fully known. You know they are not going to pass judgement, they are just going to love you the way you are.
Christ said in John 17:3 Now this is eternal life: that they KNOW you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. So often Christ is the one who fully knows us, he sees all of our failures all the layers we try and hide from one another. The sad thing is we don't take the time to fully KNOW him. So Jesus becomes an acquaintance to us, someone we see or are familiar with but don't fully know him. You may at this time be asking the question how do I KNOW the father as he knows me? That's a great question, one that I have asked myself. In John 1:1-4 it says clearly In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. Verse 10 says He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. Verse 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. So you see here, Christ is the Word. If you want to truly KNOW the Father, you have to get into his word. Through this he will reveal himself to you so that you can fully KNOW him as he fully KNOWS you. Much like any good relationship, intimacy does not happen over night. It will take time to get to know him. Time is more valuable than money, the things we own or possess, it's the one thing we can never get back. So I encourage you to take time every day or when ever you can to take the Father out of the acquaintance status and make him a friend.