“But if any man love God, the same is known of him.”
(1 Corinthians 8:3)
In the parable of the ten virgins, five were left outside the door, unprepared when the bridegroom came. Their desperate plea, “Lord, Lord, open to us,” was met with a dreadful answer: “I know you not.” They once waited for Him, yet they lacked the enduring love and preparation that marks those truly known by Christ. This solemn truth presses itself on every soul — many may profess to know God, but only those who love Him savingly are known by Him.[1]
To be known by God is no small thing. It is the eternal mark of divine favor, rooted solely in sovereign grace. Before the foundation of the world, God set His love on His elect, choosing them in Christ and giving them to His Son as His treasured possession. That eternal choice is not based on foreseen worth or works, but on the pleasure of God’s will. For such love precedes our existence, carries us through life, and brings us into everlasting glory.
Those known by God are also kept by Christ. He calls His sheep by name and they hear His voice and follow Him. He guards their souls, guides their steps, and sustains their faith. When darkness presses in, He is their Light; when sin assaults, He is their Advocate; when fears arise, He is their Refuge. His knowing is an active, fatherly care — not mere awareness but an intimate possession.
Yet this divine knowledge does not stand alone. It produces love in return. “We love Him, because He first loved us.” The one known by God loves God sincerely, clings to His Word, and delights in His commandments. This love produces obedience from the heart, loyalty in temptation, and devotion in trial. Many claim to know Christ, but obedience to His Lordship reveals the truth. The hypocrite may speak well of God, yet live for self; but the true believer desires holiness, mourns sin, and seeks fellowship with Christ above all.
When Christ returns, this distinction will be manifest. Some will cry, “Lord, Lord,” recounting their works; yet He will answer, “I never knew you.” Others — humble, repentant, and faithful — will hear, “Well done.” If we desire to be known by Christ then, we must be His now, and not in name only, but also in truth.
Let us therefore examine ourselves. Do we love God? Do we follow His Son? Do we seek holiness? These are the marks of those known by Him. Rejoice if grace has wrought such love in your heart; tremble if it has not, and flee to Christ now, for He receives all who come.
Contemplations:
- The Comfort of Being Known. God’s knowledge of me is intimate. He saw me before I lived, He bought me before I believed, and He loves me still. I want to allow this assurance to comfort my heart and silence every fear.
- Love Proven in Obedience. Love for God is not measured by words but by obedience. Lord, make my life witness that I love You.
- The Terror of Being Unknown. The possibility of hearing the words “I never knew you” ought to awaken holy fear because an empty profession cannot save. Better a humble faith that clings to Christ than a hypocritical confession without Him.
- Christ My Shepherd. Christ knows His sheep by name. He keeps me, guides me, and leads me home, and my soul can rest in His care.
Prayer (Confession)
Merciful Father, I realize that some knowledge of You without being known by You is vanity and death. Search my heart, O God, and see if there be in me any false way. I confess that I have often spoken of You while my heart lagged behind; I have professed love while failing to obey. Forgive my inconsistency and draw me unto true communion with You.
Lord Jesus, You know Your sheep and call them by name. So do not let me rest in empty claims but in Your redeeming grace. Break every proud confidence I hold to in my flesh, and anchor my assurance wholly in Your finished work. Let the marks of Your grace be evident in me — love for You, submission to Your Word, hatred of sin, and delight in holiness.
Spirit of Truth, kindle in me a sincere love for God that proves I am known by Him. Subdue my wandering desires, silence my unbelief, and grant repentance where coldness, hypocrisy, or pride has taken root. Teach me to walk humbly, to cling to Christ alone, and to rest in Your preserving grace.
And Lord, let me never hear, “I know you not.” Seal me in Your covenant love and lead me in the paths of righteousness. Let my life testify that I am Yours, and let my soul rejoice that You are mine. Hold me fast until that great day when You confess Your people before the Father.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Further Scripture References for 1 Corinthians 8:3:
Galatians 4:9; Romans 8:29; Psalm 1:6; Jeremiah 1:5; 2 Timothy 2:19
[1] Thomas Manton, A Second Volume of Sermons Preached by the Late Reverend and Learned Thomas Manton in Two Parts (London: J. Astwood for Jonathan Robinson .., 1684), 66.
