Know or Know About: What's The Difference?

Explore the vital difference between merely knowing about God and truly knowing Him personally. This episode challenges listeners to move beyond superficial information to cultivate a deep, transformative relationship with Christ, impacting how we live, love, and follow.

Welcome to the Through the Eyes of Jesus Podcast, where hosts Walker and Isaiah delve into life's challenges from a divine perspective. In this episode, titled "Know or Know About: What's The Difference?", we welcome special guest Steve Moore, author of books like 'Satan's Wager', 'Superhero Being', and 'First Person Messiah'. Steve joins us to illuminate a crucial distinction within the Christian walk: the profound difference between merely knowing about God and truly knowing God personally.

Distinguishing Between Information and Intimacy

Many individuals profess faith, yet their understanding of God remains largely informational, akin to knowing facts about a celebrity or public figure. This episode unpacks why this superficial connection, while seemingly devotional, can fall short of the transformative relationship Jesus calls us to. As Isaiah Leininger puts it, "We talk about that we should have this relationship with the father, but we don't know him. We know about him, but we don't know him." This episode challenges listeners to move beyond general knowledge and cultivate a deep, personal connection with the Creator.

Biblical Examples of Misunderstanding God

The podcast explores biblical narratives that highlight the pitfalls of possessing knowledge about God without genuine intimacy. Jesus himself confronted the Pharisees in John chapter 8, pointing out their intellectual grasp of scripture but their profound lack of true understanding of Him or His Father. Similarly, the characters in the Book of Job wrestled with flawed perceptions of God during their trials. Steve Moore emphasizes the danger of this superficial faith: "At some point, you have to go deeper in that relationship or else you could find yourself, just like you mentioned as with the pharisees, putting a lot of effort into your spiritual service and missing who god is." This underscores the risk of engaging in religious activities without a foundational, personal relationship with God.

Cultivating a Deeper, Personal Relationship with God

So, how do we bridge the gap from knowing about God to knowing God personally? The discussion emphasizes that genuine relationship is built through consistent, intentional practices:

• Direct Communication: Regularly talking with God through prayer.
• Scriptural Study: Diligently learning from His revealed Word.
• Observation: Recognizing and reflecting on God's work in your life and the lives of others.

This isn't about accumulating more facts, but about deepening an intimate connection. Steve Moore beautifully summarizes this goal: "It's about us knowing God, him knowing us." This reciprocal relationship is the heart of true discipleship.

The Role of Fellowship and Faith in Difficult Times

The episode also highlights the vital role of Koinonia, or fellowship, in this journey. Spending time with fellow believers provides invaluable opportunities to learn about God through shared experiences, perspectives, and encouragement. As Walker Howell notes, when we face hardship, a deeply personal knowledge of God allows us to trust His constant presence rather than questioning His whereabouts: "If we know God personally, we won't really ask that question, I don't think, because we'll know that he'll always be there and that he's not going to change and that he's the one constant in our life that will stay the same." This enduring trust is a hallmark of a faith rooted in genuine relationship.

Christ's Love as a Model

Referencing Ephesians chapter 5, the podcast explores the profound, sacrificial love Christ has for the church. This divine love serves as the ultimate model for human relationships, particularly between spouses, and reflects the very character of God we are called to know and emulate. It's a love that is not superficial but deeply committed and transformative.

Join us on the Through the Eyes of Jesus Podcast as we continue to explore what it truly means to know God, not just as an abstract concept, but as a personal, life-altering reality.