Do You Really Know Him
SCRIPTURE
Acts 22:6–10 (NASB95)
"But it happened that as I was on my way, approaching Damascus about noontime, a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me, and I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?' And I answered, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said to me, 'I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.' And those who were with me saw the light, to be sure, but did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me. And I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, 'Get up and go on into Damascus, and there you will be told of all that has been appointed for you to do.'"
COWBOY WISDOM
There's a big difference between knowing of a horse and knowing a horse. Knowing of him means you've heard the name, maybe seen a picture. Knowing him means you've worked with him, trusted him in rough country, and he knows your hand on the rein. Saul of Tarsus was religious as the day is long — he knew all about God — but on that road to Damascus, he came face to face with a Person he had never truly met. That encounter changed everything.
The question the sermon ended with is the most important one any of us can answer: Do you really know Him? Not just know about Him. Not just show up on Sunday. Not just hold a title or keep a pew warm. Do you know Jesus the way Paul knew him after Damascus — the kind of knowing that flips your whole life upside down and sets you on a completely different trail?
"And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent" (John 17:3, NASB95).’
Eternal life isn't a destination you punch a ticket to — it's a relationship you live. And just like Paul, once you truly encounter the living Christ, you can't stay on your old road. You get up from the dust, you follow His voice, and you spend the rest of your days telling everybody you meet what happened to you on the way.
If you're not sure today — if there's a nagging doubt about whether you truly know Him — that's the most important thing you can settle. Jesus gave us a way out, a way to eternal life. You don't have to be afraid of what you've done. His grace is bigger than your worst day. And if you do know Him, let that knowledge show. Ride like you mean it.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
Is there a clear moment in your life when you moved from knowing about Jesus to truly knowing Him personally? If you're unsure, what's holding you back from settling that today?
Paul's encounter with Christ completely reversed the direction of his life. In what ways has knowing Jesus changed the direction of yours?
John 17:3 defines eternal life as knowing God and Jesus Christ. How does that definition change the way you think about your daily walk with the Lord?
Is there someone in your life who is religious but may not truly know Jesus? How might your testimony and your prayers open a door for them?
PRAYER FOCUS
Lord Jesus, I don't just want to know about You — I want to know You. Draw me deeper into a real, living relationship with You each and every day. Where my faith has grown routine or cold, breathe new life into it. And for anyone reading these words who has never truly surrendered to You — meet them on their road to Damascus today. You are not far from any of us. May we all be found riding toward You, not away from You. In Your name, Amen.
