The deepest need of mankind is not to know but to be known. So, for man, “knowing” becomes a clever counterfeit for “being known.” Therefore, when Christians continue to seek knowledge about God, they are searching for an identity that they already have in Christ. The problem is they do not understand and therefore are living from a self-serving perspective.

Central to biblical theology is Knowing God. As with every relationship, the knowledge of God has two sides: 1) The Christian’s knowing God 2) and more importantly being known by God. Deeper than knowing God is being known by God. What distinguishes us as Christians is not primarily that we have come to know God but that He is mindful of us and made us His own. It is not your knowledge of Him that develops relationship, but understanding you are known by Him.

What does it mean to be known by God? Being known by God encompasses three important truths: (1) belonging to God; (2) being loved by God; and (3) being a child of God. Being known by God promotes humility and supplies comfort and security. However, those who are not known by God, are given warnings and dire consequences. Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven…Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; leave Me, you who practice lawlessness.” Therefore, when speaking of being known by God we must distinguish, relational knowledge from factual knowledge.

God’s factual knowledge refers to the idea that he knows everything about everyone at all times. Referred in theology as God’s omniscience. God’s relational knowledge means that ‘who we are is known to God.’ Although God knows about everyone, he does not know everyone in the intimate sense of personal relationship. Psalm 138:6 speaks of God knowing the proud ‘from afar,’ but the righteous up close. Similarly, as already referenced, Jesus will say to some at the Last Judgement, ‘I never knew you’.

In Psalm 139 we see the two overlap. Verse 1 affirms both types of knowledge…with the prayer, ‘you have searched me (factual knowledge), and you know me (relational knowledge).’ The next three verses affirm that God knows when we sit down and rise up, what “we say and do.” Verses 5-12 then highlight God’s presence as an explanation for him knowing these things: “You have encircled me behind and in front and placed Your hand upon me.” (v. 5a). We have already acknowledged that “Being known by God” encompasses three important truths, let us consider all three.

(1) Belonging to God signifies God’s ownership of you. You are “God’s property.” He has redeemed you. Paul writing to the Corinthians said, “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” He has brought you into a permanent relationship of mutual belonging to Him.

(2) The second aspect of being known by God is being loved by God. You are loved and chosen by him. “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,” (Ephesians 1:4). Romans 8:28 declares in the Amplified Bible, “and we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

(3) The third characteristic of being known by God is that you are a child of God. You are in the family— God’s family. John declares, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!”

Your deepest need is not to know but to be known! The prophet Jeremiah declared, “But you, O Lord, know me; you see me.” Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them.” “God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba! Father!” (Galatians 4:6). When we cry Abba Father, it is evidence of the Spirit of God within us – because of Jesus’ presence. All your knowledge of Him depends on His grace initiative. Therefore, your knowing God is derived from Him knowing you. God knows you and what you are going through in your darkest trial.

God knows every time you stub your toe and cry out in agony.

God knows your needs and every temptation you struggle with.

God knows your feelings of depression and hopelessness.

God Knows your loss and feels your pain.

Live today realizing YOU are “known by God” and you will live “Life As God Intended.”