Knowing In order for there to be any connection made to something or someone, there must first be some knowledge acquired. The tormented cry of the smitten with love – “They don’t even know I exist!” – is laden with the implication that, if only they did, the magical connection would be made for an ever-after together. With discovery of information, there is opportunity to bridge any gap of separation and join up with a united purpose. This reality is surely at the forefront of awareness in the Father’s desire for connection with us – “If they only knew.” “If they only knew the magnitude of my power, love, and desire to affect their life with all that is theirs in me.” Although He can be known through all of the creation that is His, for many there just isn’t enough information for them to know and believe that this unseen God actually exists. This is why demonstrations of His power were so prevalent through Jesus when He was on earth – so they would know that He was sent from the Father in the message of the gospel. It was by His works that attempts were made to connect through information of the Father’s power and His love. Knowledge of His power to do anything in a body and in nature should have really gone a long way in securing a heart, especially when that power was personally applied in Jesus’ love. This, then, was the purpose in Jesus’ sending of the Holy Ghost. Without the power of God in demonstration, there can be no real knowledge of the Father in fully expressed love. The two most significant aspects to know about God are His power and His love. Connection is enabled in the heart that gets to experience both of these through His body that has made acquiring this knowledge their life. Notes Jesus’ Passion – A Connected Body John 17:23 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. In knowing the Father – eternal life John 17:3 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. How is an unseen God known? – 2 sides – Power/Love Knowing by demonstrations of power John 10:37-38 37 If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38 but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him." Power enables knowing Matthew 9:6 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins"—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” By His power- display of abundant life desired by all 2 Peter 1:3-4 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, Love gives power its purpose Ephesians 3:17-19 (NKJV) 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. God’s power and love through us makes Him known to the world. 2 Corinthians 2:14 14 God always makes his grace visible in Christ, who includes us as partners of his endless triumph. Through our yielded lives he spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere we go. Living and sharing the knowledge of God Ephesians 1:19 19 I pray that you will continually experience the immeasurable greatness of God’s power made available to you through faith. Then your lives will be an advertisement of this immense power as it works through you! This is the mighty power Overview: Jesus’ purpose in coming was for us to be one with the Father so the world could know Him through us. All the blessings of eternal life come through the knowing of God. There are two sides to the knowing of God – His power and His love. His visibly demonstrated power enables belief in an unseen God. Love is the motivation for activating that power and making God known. God will be known by His power and love through His body. Prayer: “To know You, Father, in Your power and love, is more excellent to me than anything else that could get me focus. Fill me with all of You and through me let the world clearly see what knowing You can be.” Declarations: All I have been known for in the past is being overwhelmed by the knowing the fulness of life in Christ. Demonstrations of God’s power are my daily anticipation and experience as they are my promise as I believe. The Love of God that has united me with Him fills me with compassion to activate His power for the blessing of others. I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity of knowing God in His power and love, and for the purpose He has given me of making Him known through the sharing of this same power and love.