I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
KNOW - (1): to perceive directly: have direct cognition of (2): to have understanding of: to experience. To know God is to experience him and his power in and over your flesh. To know is to perceive. The scripture says that the things of the Lord cannot be discerned by the carnal mind. Jesus said, “unless you are born of the Spirit you can never see the Kingdom of God.” The word ‘see’ refers to discernment, or to know. To know God is to perceive in truth that your flesh is the new man; the temple of the living God. It also includes the perception of God’s life and purpose in the flesh. The Lord knows all issues that would plague the church. Many in the church question whether they have the Holy Ghost or not. Apostle John addresses this concern in 1 John 2:3-6
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
John is saying that the only proof we have of our salvation is that we keep God’s commandments. Those who do not have the Holy Ghost, cannot keep the commandments of the Lord. But the Sons of God, have the power of Christ within us and we are able to walk holy everyday.
Examination of the heart is necessary to perceive the life that is working within the Son of God.
The life of Christ and the life of the devil are completely different. The devil will by nature lead you into sin, while Christ will always condemn sin and lead you into righteousness. If a Son of God is struggling with their salvation it is because they are struggling with sin. The answer to the struggle is to strive towards perfection. If you know the Lord, he will prove His power over your flesh; but if you do not know the Lord, the devil will take the occasion to prove to you the power of his captivity by leading you into sin once more. If you profess that you know the Lord and walk in sin, you become a liar. Because The power of God’s strength is not perceived that one may remain in peace and joy and prefer righteousness when experiencing troubling situations. The power and the life of Christ is not fully understood.
Philippians 3:8-10
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not just when Jesus rose from the dead 2000 years ago; it is also when we put on the new man. Paul desired to know the power of the resurrection of Christ in him. Christ raised Paul’s flesh from the dead at salvation with the intent of living through him. However, Paul had to leave much behind and suffer many things. It is by his suffering that he gained the knowledge of the power of Christ. If he denied Christ the opportunity of living through him in any situation; he would not have been given the experience of Christ’s power. Having suffered, Paul positioned his soul in lowliness and humility to be able to witness the true power of the Comforter, who is the Holy Ghost. This also reveals another test of our salvation. The proof of your salvation is peace in obedience and comfort in suffering.
2 Corinthians 10:3
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
As Sons of God pursue perfection, there should not not be a war in the flesh. Temptation is an opportunity to know Christ, and perceive the power of the new man. He should cause your soul to rest in every act of obedience. If you experience a war to obey, or feel like you do not have the power to, you must examine if the Holy Spirit dwells in you. We who are in the faith must believe in the new man, and allow him to comfort us, that we may experience his power over our flesh. It is important that we understand all sin is unbelief. In order for us to sin we must disagree with the fact that Christ is a comforter. If we who are in the faith sin, we try to find our own way of comforting our soul in a trial or tempting situation. We do not believe if we walk in the spirit our souls will be emotionally stable, and in great joy and contentment. We doubt the power of Jesus and reject His gospel that says Christ is our rest.
My brethren, I would put you in rememberance that the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death (Revelation 21:8)
Those who know God, are a tabernacle of God. They obey the commandments and experience that the Lord is indeed good.
