That I Might Know Him!

1 John 5:20-21 

20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. 21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
 
In the previous verses we were introduced to the Greek word oida which means to know reflectively; knowledge obtained in the past that allows us to understand a current truth. Here in verse 2o we learn that this knowledge leads us to the next type of knowledge, ginosko, which is to know experientially. So what verse 20 is saying is the because we can look back and consider that Jesus has come to this world to redeem us so that we can place our faith in His finished work, we can truly experience the present truth of God at work in our lives and the hope of eternity with Him. 
 
What makes Christians different? Is it a suit and tie? No, businessmen wear those too. Is it the fact that we get up on Sundays and go and fellowship with others, sing songs and listen to the preacher for thirty minutes? Again, No. There are worldly organizations all over where people can go and be with others like them, and sometimes listen to their music and even a speaker or two. Is it in the offering plate? No. There are many who do not know Christ, yet give money to help worthy causes. So what is it that makes a Christian different from everyone else? Jesus! We know Him! We have experienced His grace and salvation! He directs us, keeps us, loves us! It is because of Christ in my life that I do the rest of these things. I try to represent Him in the way I dress, talk, think, and act so that others will see Jesus – not me. I go to church so that I can worship Him while He uses me to encourage others in their faith. I give, not to make myself fell good about how generous I am, but because I am acknowledging His ownership in my life! The difference is in Christ – He is who we should strive to know, and remember and experience! 
 
Then John finishes his letter with a little verse that really seems out of place. Verse 21 says to “keep yourselves from idols”. He is not saying “Oh yea, by the way, stay away from idols!”. No, in some ways I think this verse is the icing on the cake! He has been telling us to know Him, to grow in Him, to follow Him, constantly pointing our hearts and minds to Jesus and then finishes by reminding us how. What is an idol? Is it a statue located in an ancient temple? Is it a wooden figurine some place on their fireplace mantel? In some parts of the world, and in some cultures, Yes. So does that mean that you are good here and this verse doesn’t apply to you. No! In America today idol worship has been reshaped, and most, if not all of us are guilty. You see, an idol is anything that you desire more than God! Can you truly say that your chiefest goal in your life is know Christ? We read Paul’s words in Philippians 3:10, “That I might know Him”! and say AMEN! But what we forget is the verses leading up to it as Pauls states that anything in His life that could be desired and treasured above God he considers as dung, trash, rubbish! What is in your life that you are not willing to throw in the trash so that you can know Him more? 
 
Today, as we Refocus our hearts and minds on Christ we must take an account of everything in our life. What is it that keeps me from knowing Him? What is it that keeps me from serving and following Him? What is it that I desire more than growing in Him? Identify that – and see it for the garbage that it is – That we may Know Him!