By Karen Friday 

How can you know Jesus more intimately? By knowing Jesus more intimately, you can make him known to others more effectively.

Knowing Jesus and Making Him Known

During my early years of being a Christ-follower, I missed an important aspect of the Christian life. Christ not only desired that I know him as Savior and Lord, but also that I continued to grow in knowing him more intimately on a daily basis. This is the only way to let Christ live in and through my life, and for others to see Jesus in me.

Know Jesus

To really know someone, you spend time with that person. You know your husband and children more than anyone else. Who you live with, you grow to know more each day by two-way communication and interaction.

These simple principles hold true to K.N.O.W. Jesus. 

K – Keep your relationship alive and well. 

Cultivate your love relationship with Jesus as if your life depends on it. Because most of the time, dear wife, you will find this to be the case. A growing and vibrant friendship with Jesus makes a world of difference in the ups and downs of life.

N – Never stop investing time. 

My adult son recently moved halfway across the country. It drove home the point to continue to connect with him. We frequently text, call and FaceTime. We also started a family group on Marco Polo so all of us can send and receive videos. 

Make it a habit to spend time with Christ. Connect with who Jesus is by reading the Bible and getting to know the words Christ spoke, the way he prayed, and the words spoken about him. Never move away from Jesus emotionally or spiritually.

O – Open your heart fully. 

Maybe your heart has endured heartbreak from a spouse, kids, parents or friends. So you closed off part of your heart to protect it. But if you over guard your heart, you risk closing it off to Jesus. 

To know Jesus fully is to open your heart fully to him. Be still in his presence. Bask in the light of his glory. Tell Jesus how lovely he is and how much you love him. Express your dreams, fears, hopes and heartbreak to the heart of Jesus.

W – Walk daily with Jesus. 

I’d much rather go on a walk with my husband or a friend than to walk alone. But when I walk alone, I love to talk to Jesus and imagine I invited him along. Jesus longs to walk with you on every step along life’s path. This is a great way to grow in your knowledge of Christ. 

As you and Jesus walk together, he’s there during decisions, celebrations, tragedy and the everyday grind. He’s there for it all. Every morning, invite Jesus to come along with you throughout the day. 

In Peter’s second letter to believers, he encouraged them not to be carried away from their firm beliefs in Scripture and knowing Christ, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 3:18a (NIV) 

Make Jesus Known

Years ago, I asked the Lord to make me an influencer for him. I not only wanted to make an impact on others in my ministry, but also on my family, friends, co-workers, neighbors and even online. I used to underestimate my reach online for Christ, not any more. 

How can knowing Jesus help you make him known to others?

As you know Jesus intimately in all the ways mentioned above, something happens, people see Jesus in you. When you nurture your relationship with Jesus, you nurture the impact you make on others. 

K – Keep your relationship alive and well.

N – Never stop investing time.

O – Open your heart fully.

W – Walk daily with Jesus.

N – Nurture your impact on others.

Nurture Your Impact

A close-knit relationship with Jesus changes you from the inside out. And it spills over into your other relationships in your community in person and your community online. 

Wife Step: Write K.N.O.W.N. in a journal or notebook along with the phrases for each. Come up with 2-3 reflective statements on how to know Jesus more and how to make him known.

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