Preschool
Behold the Lamb of God. John 1:29
God Knows His Own
Memory Verses
Primary
Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29
Junior
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29
Background Scripture: 2 Timothy 2
Lesson Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:10-15, 19-26
Introduction
What a great blessing it is to be a child of God. The purpose of this lesson is to magnify the faithfulness and grace of God and to inspire humble obedience in return.
Being known by God is much deeper than knowing God. What defines Christians is not that we have come to know about Him but that He took note of us, chose us, and, through the sacrifice of his Son, made us his own in spite of our not deserving it. His love toward us is not merely pity but delight, as a father in a son. “He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me” (Ps. 18:19).
Those whom God knows are willing for his correction. This binds them to Him and strengthens their love for God’s people. They find delight in worshipping and fellowshipping together. Let us grow in our understanding of our relationship with the heavenly Father.
Key Verse
Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him (1 Kings 19:18).
Lesson Scripture
2 Timothy 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Studying the Lesson
The apostle Paul’s second letter to Timothy expresses some of his final thoughts and reflections shortly before his death in Rome. This letter to a young minister is very personal and is probably the last letter Paul wrote. It expresses his heartfelt conviction and his assurance that, although his earthly life might end soon, eternal life was waiting for him in heaven. Paul also reflected on the faithfulness of God and exhorted Timothy to continue in sanctification.
Paul makes the statement “The Lord knoweth them that are his” (v. 19). What does this mean? God is omniscient (knowing everything), and nothing is hidden from Him. He has a complete, perfect knowledge of the world and all that is in it, yet in several places of Scripture, God says that He does not know certain people, even as there are claims that He knows certain others in a special way.
In the Old Testament, God chose and loved the children of Israel. “You only have I known of all the families of the earth” (Amos 3:2). They were not greater in number, wiser, or more appealing than other people. God called them because He loved them (Deut. 7:6-8). Speaking about Abraham, the father of faith, God says, “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him” (Gen. 18:19). King David asked God the question, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? . . . For thou knowest thy servant” (1 Chron. 17:16, 18).
In the gospel era, God knows his followers in a special way. Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine” (John 10:14). Paul, writing to the Corinthians, says, “But if any man love God, the same is known of him” (1 Cor. 8:3). The basis of being acquainted with God is an experience of salvation.
The Scriptures also clearly teach that not everyone who professes to know God is known by Him. “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt. 7:21-23). The parable of the ten virgins (Matt. 25:1-13) further teaches us that we can lose our relationship with God.
Being known of God signifies belonging to Him. We can belong in spite of the imperfection of our fallen nature. Finding acceptance and belonging is a result of being adopted as God’s children. Spiritual adoption is the work of God whereby, because of his great love for us through Jesus, those who repent and believe on Him become his sons and daughters. “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will” (Eph. 1:5).
Practical Truths for Today
The idea of having our worst thoughts, deeds, and motives discovered by others is unsettling at best, and many would find it frightening. We instinctively hide those things so they are not known to others. To realize God sees all of the unpleasant, evil things about me that my fellowmen do not see and still He cares about me is part of getting to know Him. He sees more corruption in me than I see in myself, and still He loves me and has given his Son to die for me. As we get to know another person better, often we begin to see things we did not perceive at the beginning of a friendship. This can be disappointing, but not so with God. He knows everything about us from the very start, and nothing will dissuade Him from offering us his grace. This is the heart of the gospel—God’s favor to undeserving man.
Whenever a person turns away from self-centered rebellion and toward God, who gives life, grace is there waiting for him. Repentance enables us to see ourselves as God sees us. Surrendering to Him opens the door for God to show his salvation and claim us as his own. Being a recipient of God’s unmerited mercy fosters a humble spirit. God cannot know the proud in heart, but He dwells with the humble and lowly. A humble person is obedient and submissive, which enables him to get along with his fellowmen. It is the mark of the Holy Spirit that God recognizes and knows us as his own.
“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?” (Gal. 4:9). The possibility remains of being known by God and then forfeiting our relationship with Him for our own way. God is intimately aware of us and in his love is watching over us for our good. “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me” (Ps. 139:6).
Questions
- How can God know us and yet, given our sinfulness, not reject us?
- What does “some to honour, and some to dishonour” mean? (2 Tim. 2:20).
- Since we cannot polish our image before God, is there value in portraying our “Sunday best” to others?
- How do we guard against being deceived? (Luke 13:25-28).
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).