You know you know, when...

It's well-known at South Jeff that I grew up in the church. Parents who had our family in church every time the doors were open; countless weeks of church camp as camper, then faculty, then dean; multiple weeks of VBS every summer (my relationship with the girl who eventually became my wife started at a VBS); Bible college, conferences, workshops, revivals, Bible studies, and on and on. So I was around Christians All. The. Time. And really, I'm thankful to God for that life.

Because of the above, a lot of what I heard and learned has since melted together. That is, while I could tell you what I learned, I couldn't tell you where or when I learned it. There are just no reference points. That applies to a phrase I heard sometime in all those years, and probably more than once, and always from more seasoned, wise, believers that went something to the effect of:

“I always believed in God, knew that God died for sins, loved, and cared for people; but I never turned the corner until I realized he died for me.”

For the longest time I had no idea what they were talking about - and frankly as a kid didn't give much brain-energy to it. There were baskets to be shot, balls to hit, girls to impress. But as often happens, age caused me to slow down and start reflecting more often, and now I realize what was meant: It's one thing to know about God; quite another to actually know God. Anyone could be in the first category - even confessing Christians; there is only saving power in the second.

That made me ask some serious questions about my own relationship with Jesus. (And honestly, questions I STILL ask.) Mainly, "what evidence is there that I believe in God (as the Bible defines belief) and have an authentic relationship with Jesus? Have I internalized the truth I grew up being taught, can regurgitate if asked, and would fight to the death that it's actually true? Do I really OWN this, or have I just rented it all these years?"

Theologian and author J.I. Packer, in his book "Knowing God" suggests some devastating diagnostic statements to help us evaluate whether we just know about God, or actually know him (and therefore have a saving relationship). I thought they might be helpful to you. You know you know God when,..

1.  You have a great energy for God - You have a passion for his Kingdom and expend yourself to see it be pressed into the dark places.

2.  You have great thoughts of God - Like the Psalmists, you think of God in terms of majesty, holiness, power.

3.  You have great boldness with  God. - Related to #1, you stand firm in the face of hardship, persecution, pressure, temptation.

4.  You have great contentment in God. - When your life is spinning off it's axis, you know Yahweh is with you, and that whatever happens that will never change.

So, how about it? Does any of that describe you? If not, you've got some thinking and praying to do. The Bible tells us that God is the source of life - not only biological life, but life. Real living is found in him. Don't miss out.