If you ask any everyday Christian the question posed in the title of this article, the typical answer would most likely be;

” I need to know that Christ died for my sins and the sins of the world on Calvary and three days later he rose again by the power of Almighty God. His sacrifice and shed blood has made salvation from sin available, once we accept and believe in Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior. His sacrifice reconnected us to God through Christ’s righteousness which rest upon us“.

They may not say it in those words but basically the same concept. I agree that the above is pivotal for a Christian to know, it is the foundation of your faith in God through Jesus Christ. You can’t call yourself a Christian if the above is not part of your core belief. The problem is that most Christians seem to believe that this is all that is necessary for them to know, to walk in the favor and promises of God. How do I know this? I just observed the Christians in churches and in society that are living in poverty, sickness, bondage to sin, lack of joy, lack of peace, living in defeat etc. I can go on and on, but you already know I am telling the truth. This leads me back to my question to Christians, ‘What does a Christian Need to Know’? Lets start with the definition of the word ‘Know‘.

Know:

• To perceive or understand as fact or truth, to apprehend clearly and with certainty.
• To have established or fixed in the mind or memory.
• To be cognizant or aware of,
• Be acquainted with (a thing, place, person etc) as by sight, experience, or report.
• To have knowledge or clear and certain perception, as fact or truth.

Now that we have the definition of the word know, can we truly say as Christians we KNOW,( with all the descriptive words used in the definition) our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ? Okay okay no need to yell. Then answer me this;

• Why is your faith only big enough to believe God for the bare minimum to fulfill your needs?
• Why is it that when you pray to God you appear to beg for his help for the same thing over and over night after night?
• Why do you worry over life’s concerns and needs?
• Why do you still allow fear to rule you in the storms of your life?
• Why are you hostage by fear of the unknown breeding stagnation in life? Afraid to launch out and take risks in business and in relationships?
• Why are you so afraid to witness to the lost?
• Why are you still in bondage to sins lacking the victory and freedom Christ declares we have in his name?
• Why are you down and out and bitter all the time.?
• Why does your heart lack love for others and your enemies?
• Why are you medicating for depression?

Not all of the questions may apply to you, but I know you can find yourself in there some where as I did and sometimes still do. Maybe I didn’t ask your specific question, but by reading these you’ve discovered your question. I ask them because this is how we can determine if we have in-depth knowledge of the Lord and Savior we serve. Our knowledge of Jesus and our Father in heaven directly impacts our faith and the life we will live.

Proverbs 4 verse 7

Wisdom is the principal thing, Therefore get wisdom and in all your getting, get understanding.

It is not enough for us as Christians to know the foundational knowledge to being Christian, we need the wisdom and understanding that come from really knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That comes from studying his word with the intention of Christ revealing to you in the scriptures who he is through the Holy Spirit that lives in us. Our generation of Christians have access to the totality of the spoken words of God, the bible. It is the key to the power we seek as Christians to live a truly free and victorious life. I know you’ve heard of this before, but is that the problem? Are you just a hearer of the word of God and not a doer? God the creator of the universe, the King of Kings is our Father, with all the authority his titles imply, would we really still worry about worldly problems? Would we doubt our protection, our provision or his love for us?

Remember God sent his only Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our salvation as a sacrifice to fulfill the law. If we believe in Christ’s sacrifice, why would we still live as under the law in condemnation and guilt. Living in stagnation born from feelings of inadequacy, when Christ lives in us. We no longer are our ourselves, but his, as a new creation in Christ Jesus bought by his blood.

A good example of the types of Christians there are based on their level of faith, is the story of the disciples on the boat during the storm.

Matthew Chapter 8: 21-27

²¹ And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

²² But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.

²³ And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.

²⁴ And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

²⁵ And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.

²⁶ And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

²⁷ But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

As always Christ is with us as he was with the disciples. Jesus took the lead and told them to follow him and they did follow him into the boat. When Christ went to sleep during the storm his disciples panicked. When they called on Jesus to help it was in fear not confidence (Sound familiar). There were three possible applications of faith the disciples could have enacted in this situation instead they chose the one with little faith, that is why Christ told them ‘ye of little faith’. Let’s look at their options as they can apply to us as well:

1. The fact that they went to Christ for help even though they were fearful. Christ still counted their trust in him that he could do something about the situation as faith. It is the smallest form of faith as it is motivated by fear and Christ pointed that out to them so they would know. Fear is not of God and most babes in Christ start this way, that is why God responds. Like any Father he removes the issue causing fear as I did by installing a night light in my son’s room because he was afraid of the dark as a child.
2. The next level of faith is calling on Christ not out of fear, but out of confidence. Knowing the word of God and having faith in Christ’s name. This is developed from the many times you called in fear and God answered your prayer. Now instead of leading with fear, you call on him in confidence that he will answer backed by the words and promises of God in the bible. As you mature, you will learn more about the God you serve and the savior that rescued you from sin and eternal death. The bible will teach you of the promises he made, that covers everything you can encounter living on earth. Your faith in those promises (his word) will give you confidence to trust in God for all things not leaning to fear, worry and your own understanding.
3. The third and final level of faith is understanding that Jesus was with you and acknowleding his authority over everything. Therefore opting to sleep and rest alongside him, knowing that what ever may come he was in control. His word was for them to go in the boat to get to the other side, if he said they were going to the other side nothing in between matters, but his final words that you were going to the other side. This brings rest in the midst of any storm with Christ. This is called standing on God’s word such as applying faith to the following verses:

John 10:10 “The thief cometh not but to steal and to kill and to destroy. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Matthew 6:33 ” But seek ye first the kingdom of God , and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

What level of faith are we enacting when tempests enter our lives? Are we cloudy with fear or are we resting in Christ. Can you imagine if we applied our faith as the third option suggests in everything we do? The miracles that we will witness in our lives and the lives of others. The peace we would experience would not only calm our souls but the souls of those we interact with daily. Christ said to place all our heavy burdens on him so that he can give us rest. His yoke it light to bear, because it only requires us to rely and trust in him for everything. Relinquish our rights to the control of our lives, to a God that loves us so much and only wants the best for us. Who would have thought the act of letting go would be so hard. At the end of the day being a Christian is more than just the knowledge of Christ being your savior. It requires relationship with God, which requires time, study, meditation over his word and revelations. Eventually you begin to know the voice of your God seeing him in everything sharing his love and dislikes. This is what every Christian needs to know in order to live the life God has promised.

This may not be all my brother’s and sisters need to know, but it is a start. In my other articles I will speak on other topics that are just as important for living powerful and persuasive lives in the view of the world. Shining the light of God’s love, peace and forgiveness is what will attract others to the treasure of the Kingdom of God that rules in our lives. Keep strong my brothers and sisters in Christ, God Bless.