Encounter vs. Knowing: The Journey to True Intimacy with Christ
The Night That Changed Everything
James had always loved worship. Every Sunday, he would find himself lost in the music, hands lifted, heart overwhelmed by the presence of God. There was something sacred about those moments—something that made him feel close to Jesus, as if heaven had touched earth. One night, during an extended time of worship, he had a powerful encounter. He felt God’s love so tangibly that he wept uncontrollably. In that moment, he was sure his life would never be the same.
But as the weeks passed, that feeling began to fade. The fire of the encounter dimmed, and soon, James found himself struggling with the same doubts and weaknesses as before. Why did his spiritual experience fade? Was something wrong with him? Why did he sometimes feel close to Jesus but at other times feel distant? It wasn’t until a mentor pointed him back to Scripture that James realized something crucial—an encounter with Jesus is not the same as truly knowing Him.
Encounters Are Invitations, Not Endings
Many people, like James, have powerful experiences with God. Is it possible to have an experience with Jesus but not really know Him? His presence in worship, prayer, or even dreams can be overwhelming and deeply personal. These encounters are real, but they are meant to be invitations into deeper intimacy, not destinations in themselves. Without a foundation in God’s Word, even the most powerful experiences can fade into mere memories.
What does it mean to truly know Jesus? Jesus is not just meant to be felt—He is meant to be known. This is where the difference lies between an intimate experience and an intimate understanding of Christ. One is a moment; the other is a lifelong journey. Scripture describes Jesus as the Eternal Word made flesh (John 1:14), meaning He is not just an experience but a person to be known through the revelation of His Word.
The Christ of Scripture and the Christ of Experience Must Align
Many believers wrestle with questions like: How do I know if my experience with Jesus is real? How can I be sure my encounters align with the Bible? How do I balance spiritual experiences with biblical knowledge? These are essential questions because not every spiritual encounter is from God, and not every feeling of closeness to Christ is based on truth.
Why do some people have powerful encounters with God but still struggle in their faith? The answer lies in whether their relationship is built on a foundation of Scripture. Experiences alone can stir emotions, but knowledge of the Word anchors faith. The more we study, the more we see that experiences with Jesus are meant to draw us deeper into the revelation of who He is—not just in a moment but in a lifetime of knowing Him.
A Lasting Fire, Not Just a Flash
James’ story didn’t end with just one encounter. As he began to root himself in Scripture, he found that his experiences with Jesus carried more depth. Worship became more than just an emotional high—it became a place of revelation. How can I make my relationship with Jesus last beyond emotional moments? He discovered that prayer became more than just a time to seek God’s presence—it became a time to understand His voice.
This is what Jesus desires for all of us. What does true intimacy with God look like? He doesn’t just want us to encounter Him; He wants us to know Him. And the more we walk with the Christ of Scripture, the more He reveals Himself to us—not just in moments, but in a lifetime of unfolding mystery and love. How can I recognize Jesus speaking to me in my daily life? By knowing His Word, listening for His voice, and walking in obedience.
Final Thought: Beyond the Moment
Why do I sometimes feel close to Jesus but other times feel distant? If we depend only on experiences, our relationship with God will be unstable—like a ship tossed by waves. But if we build on the foundation of Scripture, our faith will remain steady even when the emotions of an encounter fade.
The real question is not just, "Have I encountered Jesus?" but rather, "Do I truly know Him?" Every experience with Christ is an invitation to go deeper into the Word, His nature, and His truth—not just for a moment, but for a lifetime.
James had always loved worship. Every Sunday, he would find himself lost in the music, hands lifted, heart overwhelmed by the presence of God. There was something sacred about those moments—something that made him feel close to Jesus, as if heaven had touched earth. One night, during an extended time of worship, he had a powerful encounter. He felt God’s love so tangibly that he wept uncontrollably. In that moment, he was sure his life would never be the same.
But as the weeks passed, that feeling began to fade. The fire of the encounter dimmed, and soon, James found himself struggling with the same doubts and weaknesses as before. Why did his spiritual experience fade? Was something wrong with him? Why did he sometimes feel close to Jesus but at other times feel distant? It wasn’t until a mentor pointed him back to Scripture that James realized something crucial—an encounter with Jesus is not the same as truly knowing Him.
Encounters Are Invitations, Not Endings
Many people, like James, have powerful experiences with God. Is it possible to have an experience with Jesus but not really know Him? His presence in worship, prayer, or even dreams can be overwhelming and deeply personal. These encounters are real, but they are meant to be invitations into deeper intimacy, not destinations in themselves. Without a foundation in God’s Word, even the most powerful experiences can fade into mere memories.
What does it mean to truly know Jesus? Jesus is not just meant to be felt—He is meant to be known. This is where the difference lies between an intimate experience and an intimate understanding of Christ. One is a moment; the other is a lifelong journey. Scripture describes Jesus as the Eternal Word made flesh (John 1:14), meaning He is not just an experience but a person to be known through the revelation of His Word.
The Christ of Scripture and the Christ of Experience Must Align
Many believers wrestle with questions like: How do I know if my experience with Jesus is real? How can I be sure my encounters align with the Bible? How do I balance spiritual experiences with biblical knowledge? These are essential questions because not every spiritual encounter is from God, and not every feeling of closeness to Christ is based on truth.
Why do some people have powerful encounters with God but still struggle in their faith? The answer lies in whether their relationship is built on a foundation of Scripture. Experiences alone can stir emotions, but knowledge of the Word anchors faith. The more we study, the more we see that experiences with Jesus are meant to draw us deeper into the revelation of who He is—not just in a moment but in a lifetime of knowing Him.
A Lasting Fire, Not Just a Flash
James’ story didn’t end with just one encounter. As he began to root himself in Scripture, he found that his experiences with Jesus carried more depth. Worship became more than just an emotional high—it became a place of revelation. How can I make my relationship with Jesus last beyond emotional moments? He discovered that prayer became more than just a time to seek God’s presence—it became a time to understand His voice.
This is what Jesus desires for all of us. What does true intimacy with God look like? He doesn’t just want us to encounter Him; He wants us to know Him. And the more we walk with the Christ of Scripture, the more He reveals Himself to us—not just in moments, but in a lifetime of unfolding mystery and love. How can I recognize Jesus speaking to me in my daily life? By knowing His Word, listening for His voice, and walking in obedience.
Final Thought: Beyond the Moment
Why do I sometimes feel close to Jesus but other times feel distant? If we depend only on experiences, our relationship with God will be unstable—like a ship tossed by waves. But if we build on the foundation of Scripture, our faith will remain steady even when the emotions of an encounter fade.
The real question is not just, "Have I encountered Jesus?" but rather, "Do I truly know Him?" Every experience with Christ is an invitation to go deeper into the Word, His nature, and His truth—not just for a moment, but for a lifetime.
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