Jesus Christ: Beyond Belief to Being Known

Jesus Christ: Beyond Belief to Being Known

So many of us believe in Jesus, yet do we truly understand what it means to know Him and be known by Him?

For many years, my belief in Jesus was genuine — but distant. I knew about Him, but I wasn’t walking with Him — not talking to Him, listening to Him, or trusting Him in the everyday moments of life. My faith was sincere — I trusted that He died for my sins and rose again — but for years it remained a conviction of my mind, not a connection of my heart.

What I’ve learned since is that belief is the doorway, but relationship is the home. Belief acknowledges who Jesus is; relationship invites Him to take residence in who we are.

James captures this difference plainly:

“You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder” (James 2:19). 

Belief alone doesn’t transform us; it introduces us to the One who can.

Jesus Himself spoke to this when He said,

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven… Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me’” (Matthew 7:21–23).

I can hardly read those words without feeling the weight of them. I urge you to take a moment — let that truth sink in. Jesus isn’t describing a distant judge but revealing a Savior who wants more than recognition; He wants relationship. He desires to know us — not just that we believe in Him, but that we open our hearts fully to Him. Knowing implies connection — a bond — a daily, growing intimacy built on trust, love, and surrender.

Knowing About Him vs. Knowing Him

Like many, my first understanding of faith came through the truth of John 3:16. But over time, I discovered that believing in Him was just the beginning of learning to walk with Him.

Jesus didn’t call us merely to acknowledge His existence; He called us to abide — to remain, to stay connected, to dwell continually in relationship with Him. It’s not a one-time decision, but a way of living that keeps us close to His presence.

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches.” (John 15:4–5)

It’s a beautiful picture of what life with Jesus looks like — connection, dependence, and purpose. The branch doesn’t strain to produce fruit; it simply stays attached to the vine and draws from its life. That’s what abiding is — living in constant dependence on Him, drawing strength, nourishment, and direction from the One who gives us life.

Relationship with Christ isn’t about adding Him to our schedule or including Him in our Sunday routine; it’s about inviting Him into the center of every moment.

This is something I work on every day — and I still fall short. But when I’m intentional about keeping Him central, the Holy Spirit reminds me quickly when I drift. The closer I draw to Him, the more aware I become of my own flaws — and I’ll be honest, that awareness sometimes brings real shame. I’m disappointed when I fail Him. But that conviction is also proof that His Spirit is alive in me. It doesn’t drive me away from God; it draws me back to Him.

There’s a difference between healthy shame and unhealthy shame. Healthy shame — what Scripture calls godly sorrow— draws us toward repentance and restoration.

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death” (2 Corinthians 7:10). 

Healthy shame humbles us, softens our hearts, and reminds us how much we need His grace. Unhealthy shame, on the other hand, condemns us. It whispers that we’re beyond forgiveness — a lie Jesus refuted at the cross.

We live in a world that often celebrates sin and calls it “living out your truth” — even turning pride, the very sin that separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2; Proverbs 16:18; James 4:6), into a virtue. But relationship with Christ brings humility. It reminds us that grace is not permission; it’s redemption — God’s way of reclaiming what sin tried to steal. And while shame over sin may humble me, grace reminds me that I’m still His.

Acting from Obligation or from Love

Every day we respond to expectations — from our employers, our families, and our communities. Sometimes we act out of love; other times by obligation, habit, or even fear.

For years, I treated faith that way too. I did the “right things”: went to church, prayed when I needed help, tried to live decently. But many of those actions came from duty, not devotion.

That’s not what Jesus desires. “

If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)

That isn’t a demand for performance — it’s an invitation to intimacy. When obedience flows from love rather than fear, it becomes an act of worship.

When our faith grows from obligation into relationship, everything changes. Prayer becomes conversation, repentance becomes renewal, and obedience becomes love lived out.

Relationship Is a Loving Response

Moving from belief to relationship isn’t about earning God’s favor. It’s about receiving His love and responding in kind.

He pours out His Spirit, His mercy, His correction, and His presence — and our part is to respond with faithfulness, obedience, and repentance. Not because we must, but because we want to.

Repentance isn’t punishment; it’s restoration. It’s how we realign our hearts when we’ve wandered and rediscover the joy of walking closely with Him.

This rhythm of receiving and responding — grace met with gratitude, conviction met with surrender — is what a true relationship with Jesus looks like.

Walking It Out

For me, the transition from belief to relationship has been less of a moment and more of a journey — one I’m still on. Here are a few practices that help me stay centered on Him:

1. Invite Him in daily. Belief opens the door once. Relationship welcomes Him into every room.

2. Spend time with Him. Scripture and prayer aren’t obligations; they’re conversations.

3. Listen and respond. The Holy Spirit nudges, comforts, and convicts. Don’t brush it off — lean in.

4. Live repentantly. Confession doesn’t destroy closeness; it embraces it.

5. Let love lead. When love is the motive, obedience becomes joy, not burden.

The more I walk with Jesus, the more I realize that faith isn’t about getting it right — it’s about staying close.

That’s what it means to move beyond belief — to live in relationship with the One who knows us, loves us, and calls us friend (John 15:15).

Reflection

Where are you on that journey today — believing or abiding?

If you’re ready to take the next step, you don’t need a formula. Just start by inviting Him in. Ask Jesus to reveal Himself in the ordinary parts of your day — in your work, your relationships, and even your struggles. He’s not looking for perfection; He’s longing for connection.

Faith was never meant to be lived in isolation. We grow stronger when we walk alongside others — sharing stories, struggles, and victories together. Sometimes God uses another believer’s words, prayers, or encouragement to remind us that He’s near.

Questions for personal reflection or discussion:

1. In what areas of your life do you find it hardest to let Jesus in — and why?

2. When you think about your relationship with Him, do your actions flow more from love, obligation, or something else?

3. Who in your life helps you grow in faith, and how might you be that person for someone else?

4. What would it look like, this week, to draw closer — even in one small way?

We’re all on a journey to draw closer to Christ until we see Him face to face. If you’re wrestling with questions or struggling in your walk, I’d love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, your questions, or your story — because even though our journeys are personal, none of us are meant to walk them alone.

A Simple Prayer

Lord Jesus,

Thank You for loving me and wanting to be in my life.

Help me to know You better — not just to believe in You, but to walk with You each day.

When I lose focus, bring me back. When I mess up, forgive me and help me learn from it.

Teach me to listen, to trust, and to follow You with all my heart.

I want my life to be an example of Your eternal love.

Amen.

Helping believers become Reliably His — Reliant on Him. Reliable to Him.

© Reliably His Ministries