“But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?” (Gal. 4:9).

It is one thing to say that we know God. It is essential that we know God and obey His gospel (2 Thess. 1:8). However, it is just as important that God knows us. Think about this - it would be one thing to say we know someone famous, but another thing for a famous person to say they know us!

God acknowledges the existence of those outside of Christ. He knows them and loves them. However, He knows His covenant children in a different way. These are the people God gladly owns as His special people (Heb. 11:16; 1 Pet. 2:9).

Jesus proclaimed, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:27-28). What a blessing to learn I am known by My Lord and Shepherd. I am not a nameless face lost in a sea of humanity. I will not get lost in the crowd or fall through the cracks. God knows me because I have come to Him through the means He made possible – the Gospel of His Son Jesus Christ.

While it is important that we know the Lord, it is equally important that we make sure we are known by Him. Jesus spoke of those on Judgment Day who would hear their doom in these words, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matt. 7:21-23, emphasis mine – HR).