I want you to know, brothers and sisters …
Summary: How we acquire knowledge is an involved process. Paul is expressing his desire that we share in knowledge that the Lord has given him.
If you and I lived in Galatia two thousand years ago and heard the words of Paul’s letter read to us, we would be listening to Paul through his words. Today, two thousand years later, we are still listening to Paul through his words. The effect is the same.
And what is the effect of these words?
“I want you to know, brothers and sisters …”
Paul is conveying information, but more than that, he is conveying knowledge.
Knowing something is a very personal experience. Nobody else can “know” something for you. Knowing is a connection that happens between you and Truth. Sometimes, knowing comes through touch, like picking up a suitcase to see how heavy it is. Once we pick it up, we “know” what it weighs. Other times, knowing comes through a trusted contact.
Knowledge from a trusted contact requires “knowing” the contact. For example, if you have a business associate you trust and this person says, “a certain investment is a good deal,” you “know” that investment is a good deal. The knowing, in this case, is an extension of trust in your associate.
Many of the people in Galatia knew Paul personally. Paul’s ministry had taken him through that area more than once. There were very likely people who read Paul’s letter who had seen miracles done by God through Paul. They knew Paul was the real deal.
When Paul writes, “I want you to know …,” he provides information through a trusted relationship. If no one in Galatia trusted Paul or considered him authoritative, the letter would have been a waste of time. Paul knew that wasn’t the case.
Paul is about to provide written testimony about his own personal relationship with Jesus. His testimony is first-hand testimony, not hearsay. Paul knows the information he shares is true because he has lived it. Paul “knows” Jesus personally. He “knows” the people he is writing about. He “knows” what Jesus has told him and what the Christian leaders in Jerusalem have confirmed.
Paul knows.
By writing down this information in a letter, Paul conveys his knowing to the reader who knows Paul.
Do we know Paul? Yes! Absolutely. We have the testimony of his letters, the testimony of Luke (the Book of Acts), and the testimony of Peter (2 Peter 3:15-16). By reading Paul’s words and trusting him, we, too, can receive the knowledge he shared with the Galatians.
Application: Reading the Bible is how we gain knowledge of God.
Food for Thought: How do we convey knowledge of Jesus to the people who know us?
It helps if we build a good reputation of caring about them and speaking truth in love. We also need to be lovingly bold and willing to shine truth into darkness. Our testimony is more effective if it comes from relationship, respect, love and good behavior.
Colossians 5: 2 – 6: 2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
1Peter 3:15 – 16a: 15But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience
Ephesians 4: 15a: Instead, speaking the truth in love…
Matthew 22: 37 – 40: Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ c 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ d 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 5: 14 – 16: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Brother Rich,
Great verses! Thank you!
I love your synopsis, too:
“Our testimony is more effective if it comes from relationship, respect, love and good behavior. ”
Amen!
How do we convey knowledge of Jesus to the people who know us?
What a difficult question!
I can easily convey that I know, or believe I know, something. But like you said, it is very personal for another to take that knowledge and claim it as truth they now believe.
Even to my 4 year old nephew, whom we have ample time to share with, it is a question. We teach songs, mom has him memorize verses, we tell him what are good things to do and bad things we should stop doing, we try to be consistent between our words and actions. But does he know this Jesus we all talk about? He knows that we like if he includes Jesus in the list of people he cares about.
Angela,
GREAT example! We have all been a child at some point, and we can all relate to how we learn as children. Is memorizing something an adult teaches us the same as knowing truth? It goes back to the relationship and the people in the relationship. Is their heart seeking Truth? Or, as you imply, is one simply trying to please the other to maintain their favor?
12-23-2023, How do we convey knowledge of Jesus to the people who know us?
The knowledge of God is received by revelation of the Holy Spirit. Some receive this revelation by direct revelation like Paul on the road to Damascus, as the Holy Spirit revealed Himself, spoke directly to Paul in a manner Paul would fully understand His truth.
John 16:8, Corinthians 2:10-16.
Paul received this knowledge of Jesus Christ, found it to be truth, and everything he had previously learned now became rubbish and a loss for him. Philippians 3:8-10
When Paul’s eyes were opened to the way of the cross through self-denial, he changed and for the remainder of his life on earth he dedicated all his energy toward submission to the Holy Spirit, becoming led by God as he encouraged everyone day and night to forsake everything of their own and live a God-fearing life through Jesus Christ. 1 Timothy 6:11-14
Today this same Spirit dwells in every believer. And we are called to deny ourselves daily, take up our cross, and follow in the steps of Jesus Christ. He will speak through us as we submit to His authority in our lives, and allow Him to use us each day.
Acts 2:1-47, Luke 9:23, Matthew 10:20, Romans 8:14, 8:26, 1 Thessalonians 1:5,
Our Joy comes as we submit to our Lord ministering to others through us.
Ron,
Thank you!
Denying ourselves sounds painful on the surface, but as you point out, our “Joy” comes in submitting to Jesus. Perhaps another way to put it is that we choose Jesus over self. Sharing that Joy with others is a wonderful way to share the Joy of Jesus. 🙂