CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – “If you had known Me“ – John 14:7

CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” (John 14:7).

The phrase “if you”, as it applies to you (and me) as a disciple of Jesus, appears one hundred twenty-four times in the English Standard Version (ESV) of the New Testament.

First, we will be confronted with various situations and circumstances from the Bible and, we will discover how we are to respond in these examples. Secondly, I have personalized (rephrased) our study verses for you to memorize. By this, we can bring the Gospel to life as we go and defeat sin along our way.

Today we, as Christians, are confronted with questions about how we should deal with matters such as worry, the certainty of security in Christ, knowing the only way to God is through Jesus, being certain we can know God the Father, knowing Jesus, being and living with Him, believing knowing leads to doing, believing leads to asking and receiving.

“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” (John 14:7).

IN CONTEXT

 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms; if that were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will take you to Myself, so that where I am, there you also will be. And you know the way where I am going.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going; how do we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.

“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”

“Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? The one who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you, I do not speak on My own, but the Father, as He remains in Me, does His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise, believe because of the works themselves. Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. “If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:1-15)

REPHRASED and personalized to memorize:

“I know You, Jesus, so I know our Father also; Because I know You, I have seen Him.” (John 14:7).

The directness of this one verse and the surrounding verses, if taken in context, should amaze, astound, and shake the believer to the very foundation of his or her mind and soul!

There are times Jesus would use metaphors, similes, and other figures of speech to hide the meaning of His words from those who do not believe on Him. But His words are to be understood for those who believe. This time, however, Jesus is speaking plainly, and His words should be taken at their face-value.

A personal note: I am dedicating my time to memorize and internalize these words of Jesus found in John 15:1-15 in order to deepen my faith in Him and to understand my purpose in Him, how to pray to Him and my calling in Him, so when I ask Him anything in His Name, He will do it! I sincerely and prayerfully suggest you do the same for your own sake.

(This need not be a mystery, and it is certainly not an invitation to splurge in this material world. It is a call to invest yourself into the life of Christ and the Kingdom of God.)

“So, faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”

(Romans 10:17)

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PS: If you have any questions about today’s study, please contact me by using the comment section on this page, and let’s talk.

NEXT:  Coming Soon. CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – “If you abide in Me.” – John 15:7

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