JESUS KNOWS WHO KNOWS GOD & WHO DOES NOT

“you worship what you do not know, we worship what we know" Jn 4:22

Jesus said to the woman at the well, "you worship what you do not know, we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews" (Jn 4:22). Paul said a similar thing to those who were religious in Athens, Greece, saying, "For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, 'To an unknown god.' Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you." (Ac 17:23). Like Paul and Jesus discovered, nearly everywhere you yourself go in this world, you will find worshipers who do not truly know God. [This is why Jesus and his apostles tried to inform worshipers about our true God and how to truly worship Him.] Just how big is this problem? Where will you run into it? You will be shocked to know the truth.

(A) HOW BIG IS THE PROBLEM?

Where does lack of true knowledge of God exist?

It's in the Christian Church [1 Cor 15:34]

It's among Complete Parties, Groups, Sects, Denominations [Sadducees]

It's among Leading Christian Disciples, Ministers [Jn 14:9]

It's in the Pastorate [Isa 56:11; Jer 3:15]

It's Jew-wide [Jn 1:11; Ro 10:1-4; Jer 2:8; 4:22]

In John 8:41 the Jews claimed to know God but Jesus denied that claim since they did not hear (accept) His words (see vs. 55).

It Was/Is in the Priesthood [Jer 2:8]

It's among a Whole Generation, Nation [Judges 2:10]

It's Worldwide [Jn 1:10; Jer 51:17]

It's among Powerful Kings [Ex 5:2]

(B) IT'S A LOG OF SIN, NOT A SPECK

It will either make you or break you, your knowledge of God. Specifically, true, accurate, and complete knowledge of God will make you, but false, inaccurate, and insufficient knowledge of God will break you, in His sight. Below, see for yourself.

Knowledge about God is heavier than giving or sacrificing (Hos 6:6).
God’s worshipers of old died for lack of knowledge (Hos 4:1, 6).
When Jesus returns, those who do not know God will pay the severest of penalties (2 Thess 1:8, 9).
Ignorance of God will not be forgiven (Ac 17:23, 30, for this reason in vs. 31).
Ignorance of God excludes a person from the life of God (Eph 4:18).
You must believe in God’s person of salvation or die, for all unbelievers will be lost eternally (Jn 8:24; Re 21:8).

(C) WHO DOES NOT TRULY KNOW GOD?

David wisely instructed his son Solomon, saying, "know the God of your father… or else you will be rejected by Him forever" (1 Chron 28:9). This is in keeping with the gospel where it says that "those who do not know God… will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord" (2 Thess 1:8, 9). In other words, "rejected by Him forever", like David said to his son, Solomon. I reject you forever. But we seek to be accepted forever through Jesus Christ, God's only Son.

But who does not know God?

(1) He Who Lacks Basic Knowledge about Jesus Christ Does Not Know God

First and foremost, anyone, including a member of a Christian church, who lacks basic knowledge about God through His Son, Jesus Christ, simply does not know God. Below, take a careful look and you will see what I mean.

[When it comes to basic knowledge about God, we must always remember that it must center on Jesus. For example, the gospel centers on the person of Jesus Christ (1 Cor 15:1-5). No one can come to the Father but through the Son (Jn 14:6). The work or job of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, is to testify or witness about the Son, Jesus (Jn 15:26). Some worshipers swerve off of this true focus on the Son and important basic truths surrounding Him, like the so called Jehovah's Witnesses. They testify or witness mainly and emphatically about a father while mis-teaching on saving knowledge about Jesus, such as His deity and worthiness to be worshiped, His return, etc. So our basic intention here in proving knowledge or lack thereof about God is to exactly and sufficiently witness about the basics of Jesus Christ so that all might know the Father through the Son. This would make us true witnesses for God, not false.]

Some Worshipers [church-going people, members] Do Not Believe in the Resurrection of the Dead or Important Aspects about It

Keywords/Thoughts on the Resurrection & Jesus: Resurrection from the Dead, Hope of Eternal Life, Heaven, Hell, Return as Judge of Living & Dead

A Christian Church in the Bible Had Outspoken Members Who Did Not Believe in the Resurrection

Some members of this Christian church did not believe that the dead could be raised. They even taught this to others. So Paul told them to stop sinning; that they had no knowledge of God; and he warned the rest that being with these types of worshipers was bad company, a corrupting influence (1 Cor 15:33, 34).

A Whole Sect in the Bible, Not Just One Church, Failed to Believe in the Resurrection

The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of the dead (Mk 12:18; Ac 23:8). For this reason Jesus said that they were "greatly mistaken" about God and the Scriptures (Mk 12:24, 27). Now "greatly" is a large matter, not small; a log of sin, not a speck. They did not truly know God, even though they worshiped God. Fittingly, Jesus warned His followers, His sheep to "beware" of their teaching (Mt 16:6, 12) and to "let them alone" (Mt 15:14); don't assemble with them, fellowship with them, or church with them. Or else as Paul said, bad company on the resurrection will corrupt and defile you. Not believing in the resurrection of the dead is a sin that leads to death. And when it comes to church, sins that lead to death in and among the membership will defile the whole church (1 Co 5:6).

A Disciple, after Baptism, Was Uncertain if Christ Rose from the Dead

I once asked a disciple who was recently baptized by another, "Do you believe that Jesus was raised from the dead?" She said, "I don't know." Don't assume that since a person was baptized into Christ, or is a member of a Christian church, or grew up in a Christian home that he faithfully knows that Jesus was raised from the dead.

Now there is no point in being baptized unless you believe in the gospel, which includes the prominent idea that your savior was raised from the dead, DBR! It's not when you understand or believe in baptism that you should be baptized, but when you truly believe in the gospel, the DBR of Christ. It's then that you should be baptized. [Now when this woman becomes convinced in the resurrection of Christ, she should be re-baptized. For when she first was baptized, she truly did not know the gospel.]

Some Worshipers Do Not Believe that Jesus Was Resurrected in Body (i.e. bodily), but Rather in Spirit Only

The so called Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that Jesus was resurrected in spirit, but not in body. But obviously they are greatly mistaken, not knowing the power of the Lord Jesus Christ or the Scriptures. Jesus testified to His bodily resurrection (Lk 24:36-43), saying, "a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." What did Jesus have? It was flesh and bones. After Jesus rose from the dead, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary took hold of His feet and worshiped Him (Mt 28:9). Thomas, an apostle of Christ, put his finger in Jesus' hand and side (Jn 20:27). This brings deeper meaning to what his fellow apostle said here in 1 Jn 1:1, that "What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life..."

Some Worshipers Believe that the Resurrection of the Dead Already Happened

Two men were marked by the Bible as straying from the truth when they were saying, teaching, that the resurrection already took place (2 Tim 2:17, 18). But the apostles taught us to wait for God's Son from heaven (1 Thess 1:10). There is no reason to wait for Jesus to return if he already returned. Beware of men who mistakenly interpret prophecy about the return of Jesus Christ and the Judgment Day, for some mistakenly try to persuade worshipers that Jesus is not coming back to earth (2 Pe 3:4). Yet others try to persuade worshipers that Jesus has come back or will come back more than once, like the Mormons. They say that Jesus came back to America some years ago to establish a so called 'true' gospel, the Book of Mormon and the 'true church', the Mormon church. But the Bible predicts that the only time that Jesus would come back is for the salvation of those who love Him (He 9:27, 28), at the same time for damnation of those who do not (2 Thess 1:6-9), the Judgment Day. Jesus is only coming back once, not twice or more as the Mormons and others confidently assert.

The conclusion is this: If you are not sure about or do not believe in the resurrection of the dead, then you are not sure if the Lord Jesus was raised from the dead. You are sinning, you are still in your sins. You do not know God. You do not know the gospel, for the apostles preached the gospel of the death, burial, & resurrection of the dead (Ac 4:2; 17:31, 32; 23:6; 24:21; 26:23; Ro 1:4; etc.). They included it prominently in their making of disciples. In fact, they required it for salvation (Ro 10:8-10). Like Job, you must "know" that your redeemer lives (Job 19:25). Do you know this? Believe in the resurrection of the dead, especially that Jesus was raised from the dead, bodily. You yourself will be raised bodily. But you must first wait for Jesus to come back.

Some Worshipers Do Not Believe that Jesus Was Real or Really Who He Claimed to Be

Keywords/Thoughts on the Reality of Jesus: Flesh & Blood, Lord, Christ, Messiah, King, God, Son of God, Deity, Worship

Many Teachers of Religion Do Not Believe that Jesus Was Real,
But a Myth

In order of importance, it seems that the very worst sinner, when it comes to basic knowledge of Jesus, is he who does not even believe that Jesus was a real person.

Jesus claimed, "For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth" ( Jn 18:37). But John said that many deceiving teachers do not acknowledge Jesus being born or being here "in the flesh" (2 Jn 1:7). While further exposing these false teachers (1 Jn 4:1), John implied that they do not know God, saying "he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us" (1 Jn 4:6).

But John testified to the reality of Jesus, saying, "This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood" (1 Jn 5:6). John was there at the cross of Christ, when the water and the blood came from His very body as He was impaled on the accursed cross for us (Jn 19:26). Listen to John's eyewitness testimony: "But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe" (Jn 19:34, 35).

Some Worshipers Do Not Believe that Jesus is the Messiah

The next greatest sinner, in order of significance, is he who does not believe that Jesus is the Messiah.

Both Jews and Gentiles saw Jesus while He was here on the earth; they believed that Jesus was real. Yet they were divided over whether He was the Christ or not, whether He was a good man or a bad man (Jn 7:41). Of course, Jesus was put to death by the leading Jews at the hands of the Roman government because he said He was the Christ, the Son of the living God (Mt 26:63-68). That's how much they did not believe that Jesus was the one.

Today, many worshipers believe that Jesus is real, but they do not all agree on who He actually was. Was he simply a good man and teacher or was he the Messiah? Was he a prophet or was he more than a prophet, the Son of God? And while some believe that Jesus is a great teacher or even the Messiah, they do not believe that He is the Son of God, for this would affect who they worship and how they worship. Believing that Jesus is the Son of God has serious implications. Consider this further below.

Some Worshipers Do Not Believe That Jesus is God

The third greatest sinner, when it comes to basic knowledge about Jesus, is he who does not believe that Jesus is God, that He is deity. This is a serious and damning sin.

Not only was Jesus condemned to die for claiming to be the Messiah, these Jews tried to kill and stone Him for claiming to be God.

"My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working. For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath [he healed a man], but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God" (Jn 5:17, 18).

In another place, we find a similar situation:

"The Jews answered Him, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God." (Jn 10:33).

Here is the conclusion: Although these worshipers did not believe in Jesus as the Son of God, they clearly understood and stated for the record that anyone who claims to be the Son of God is making himself out to be God, and God is deity. They were correct that Jesus was claiming to be God, but specifically God the Son, not God the Father. Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, not the Father .

Note: More evidence will be given about the deity of Christ and the three separate and distinct persons of God below in the next two points and in comprehensive detail in the next study in the series, the Bible Study on Gathering in Spirit & Truth, Gather to Worship the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit.

Some Worshipers Fail or Refuse to Worship Jesus

When worshipers refuse or fail to worship Jesus, they are failing or refusing to worship God. Jesus claimed to be God and God is worthy of worship. But the so called Jehovah's Witnesses do not worship Jesus because they mistakenly believe that he is a created being. However, God is not created so Jesus is not created. Deity is not created.

Note: Comprehensive evidence about worshiping Jesus as God the Son is given in the Bible Study on Gathering in Spirit & Truth, Gather to Worship the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit.

Some Worshipers Believe that Jesus is the Father or that There is Jesus Only

One reason that worshipers believe that Jesus is the Father is this: "Since Jesus is God and the Father is God, well then they both cannot be God can they?" So some mistakenly conclude that Jesus is the Father. Or they conclude that Jesus was the Father before He came to earth as the Son, and then after He ascended back into heaven, He returned to being the Father.

Another reason that some believe that Jesus is the Father is this: Jesus indicated that He represented the Father on earth. This identification with the Father confuses some conceptually.

But from the beginning of time as we know it (Jn 1), while Jesus was here (Mt 3:17), and into eternity (1 Cor 15:24) there was and is the Father & Son, and Holy Spirit for that matter (Mt 28:18, 19). Pay particular attention to the fact of what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:24. After Jesus' second coming, and after the end of the end, it says that Jesus Himself hands the kingdom back to our God and "Father" (1 Cor 15:24). It's been thousands of years and Jesus has not yet returned to the earth, therefore He has not yet handed the kingdom back to the Father. So for thousands of years after His death, burial, resurrection and ascension, He still is the Son and there still is a Father. They have not changed. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

You who say that Jesus is the Father or that there is Jesus only, meaning no Father or Holy Spirit, are badly mistaken. You do not truly know God.

Note: More about the eternality of the three separate and distinct persons of God in the Bible Study on Gathering in Spirit & Truth, Gather to Worship the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Some Worshipers Believe that Jesus Was Conceived in Flesh, not Spirit

Brigham Young, the well-known second president of the Mormon church, whom they named a college after, Brigham Young University, said this:

"When the virgin Mary conceived the child Jesus, the Father had begotten him in his own likeness. He was not begotten of the Holy Ghost. And who is the Father? He is the first of the human family [he means Adam]... Jesus, our elder brother, was begotten in the flesh by the same character that was in the garden of Eden, and who is our Father in heaven. Now remember from this time forth and forever, that Jesus Christ was not begotten of the Holy Ghost." (J. of D., Vol. I, pp. 50-51).

But the Bible says, "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost" (Mt 1:18 KJV).

Here is the Conclusion: If you are not sure about or do not believe that Jesus was a real person, then you are still in your sins. You do not know God. You are still in your sins, specifically the of unbelief. Unbelief a log of sin. It leads to death (Re 21:8). You must come to believe that He was here in flesh and blood. You must also come to trust in other important basic things about Jesus, such as, that He is the Messiah, God, worthy to worship, the Son of God vs. God the Father, and that He was conceived by the Holy Spirt vs. man. But especially believe that He died for your sins.

Some Worshipers Do Not Believe that Jesus Died for Their Sins

Keywords/Thoughts on Jesus & Salvation: Die for Sins, Substitution Sacrifice, Savior, Salvation Only thru Him Alone, to Father Only thru Him, Blood & Forgiveness, Pardon

A Disciple, after Baptism, Did Not Believe that Christ Died for His Sins

A Christian woman once asked a disciple after he was baptized, "Do you believe that Jesus died for your sins?" And he said, "No."

But as Paul said, the first thing that he told others was the good news is that Jesus Christ died for our sins (1 Cor 15:1-5). We should not be so eager to baptize a sinner if he does not understand the gospel and agree to it, that he is a sinner, that Christ died for his sins, etc.

(2) He Who Has a Log of Sin in His Eye Does Not Know God

Obviously, not knowing God, being ignorant of Him in various important ways is a log of sin. But there are other logs of sin that indicate a worshiper truly does not know God. Below, see for yourself.

Note: In the reference verses below, look for the specific words that indicate the log of sin and also words that categorize these types of so called "God's people" as not knowing God. This would include phrases like "not know me" and words like as "ignorant", "stupid", lacking "understanding", etc.

The Sexually Immoral Do Not Know God
[1 Thess 4:3-8 (vs. 5); 1 Sam 2:12 / 12-17; 22, 23; Hos 4:11, 14]

Liars, Adulterers, & Slanderers Do Not Know God
[Jer 9:2, 3, 6 (2-9)]

New Wine / Takes Away the Understanding
[Hos 4:11]

Swearers [cursing, reviling, profaning, blaspheming], the Deceptive, Murderers, Stealers, & Idolaters Do Not Know God
[Hos 4:1, 6, 11, 14 (1-14); Isa 45:20; Gal 4:8; Ro 1:22; Jer 10:8, 14]

Those Using Worldly Wisdom Cannot Come to Know God
[1 Cor 1:21]

Those Who Establish Their Own Righteousness Do Not Know God
[Ro 10:1-4; Mt 15:1-20 (vs. 8), their hearts are far away from God, meaning they do not truly know Him because of their human traditions vs. 3, 6, 9]

The Foolish Do Not Know God
[Jer 4:22; Eph 5:17; Pr 14:7; Mt 23:17 Jesus used the word "fools" which is in the Greek moros(gk) meaning morons, a person who is notably stupid or lacking in good judgment]

The Selfish/Covetous, Arrogant Do Not Know God, But Are Evil
[3 Jn 1:9, 11 "has not seen God" - meaning does not know]

Those Who Do Not Love/Agape
[1 Jn 4:8]

etc…

HERE IS THE CONCLUSION

Jesus told the woman at the well that even though she worshiped God, she did not know Him (Jn 4:22). She was a Gentile, and the Gentiles did not have the oracles of God, but the Jews did. God gave them the Scriptures and brought the Messiah into the world as a Jew. Yet as we read the Scriptures and listen to what the Messiah said, we learn that not only are many Gentiles failing to truly know God, many Jews are failing to know God also, even though they worship God. This problem is so widespread. It can be found in an individual worshiper or among a whole church, sect, or even a nation. It can be found in the least and most prominent roles in the world and church, like the pastorate and kings/rulers.

Jesus said that if you do not believe who He is or who He claimed to be, then you will die in your sins (Jn 8:24). You will be lost and condemned. So you must understand that lack of basic knowledge of who Jesus is will condemn you. It is a most weighty matter. You demonstrate true knowledge of God or lack thereof in two ways: One, in what you basically know and confess about Jesus. Two, if you have removed the logs of sin from your own life (repentance).

Good news! Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me…” (Jn 10:14). “And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true, and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ” (1 Jn 5:20). True worshipers know Jesus Christ. But obviously there is true and false knowledge about God (Col 2:2; 3:10; 2 Pe 1:3, 8; 1 Tim 6:20). You must know the difrerence between the two, through Christ.

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