OR RATHER . . . -- Monday:
"But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?" (Galatians 4:8).
"Knowing the Lord" is not a phrase denoting a mere legal status. It is the experiential aspect of the New Covenant. What is more, it is the common lot of everyone in Christ. "They shall ALL know Me" (Jer 31:34; Heb 8:11). The point of our text is this: this glorious knowledge was obtained apart from law-keeping. Speaking of the remarkable acceptance of the Gentiles, the Spirit witnesses, "I was found by those who did not seek Me; I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me" (Rom 10:20, NIV).
Knowing God is more than a "relationship," as ordinarily considered. You can have a relationship without having personal involvement. This is the case with our government, a distant relative, the local merchant, etc. Knowing God involves "fellowship," "communion," and "participation" (1 Cor 1:9; 2 Cor 13:14; 2 Pet 1:4). Jesus said of His identity with His sheep, "I know My sheep and my sheep know Me" (John 10:14, NIV).
Knowing God is sublime, not to be compared with being under the Law! Those who "know the Lord" are "workers together" with Him (1 Cor 3:9). They are "kings and priests" to Him (Rev 1:6), and are the "apple of His eye" (Deut 32:10; Psa 17:8; Zech 2:8). They "know Him" because they have been accepted by Him in the Son. The Lord can guide them with His eye, without the bit and bridle of grievous commandments (Psa 32:8). They are in His house, and love to have it so! As they "walk in the Spirit," they "will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh" (Gal 5:16). The "righteousness of the Law" is fulfilled IN them" (Rom 8:4).
The Spirit will not allow men to think their salvation is built upon the foundation of their doing. Even in the matter of knowing God – the heart of the New Covenant – pride is diffused by the proclamation, "OR RATHER are known by God" (NIV). Salvation consists more of God recognizing us than of us acknowledging Him. This does not minimize our response, nor should we entertain such foolish notions for a moment. Christ is the "Author of eternal salvation to them that obey Him" (Heb 5:9). The Holy Spirit is "given to them that obey Him" (Acts 5:32). In our text, the Spirit is getting at the root of the matter. He is showing that Divine initiative is what accomplished our identity with God – not law-keeping!
No person should balk at this. After all, "We love him, BECAUSE He first loved us" (1 John 4:19). As Gentiles, our acceptance by God is a testimony to HIS grace, not OUR works. As it is written, "I was found by those who did NOT seek me; I revealed Myself to those who did NOT ask for me" (Rom 10:20, NIV; Isa 65:1). Without contradiction, the greater part of salvation is being recognized by God, not Him being acknowledged by us.
However far we may have come in our personal progress to glory, the greater distance has been traversed by the Lord. He initiated our relationship to Him by finding us, drawing us, and opening our hearts. The effectiveness of our salvation is owing to Him recognizing us, not us recognizing Him. How blessed is the "or rather" factor! ". . . after that ye have known God, OR RATHER are known of [by] God."
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for seeking me, finding me, drawing me, quickening me, saving me, upholding me, and keeping me! I find great delight in Your marvelous working.