Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

26 August 2025

Reading From I Corinthians 8

“But whoever loves God is known by God.^”

—I Corinthians 8:3

This reminds me of the passage which tells us that if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. If we truly love God, we will want to obey His Word the Bible, living by His life-giving principles. I have wondered how we can know if God knows us in the salvific sense spoken of in Matthew 7:21-23 where Jesus says,

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”

I want to be sure God knows me, and the assurance is found here in I Corinthians 8. If I love God, He will know me and I’ll know that I love God if I seek to obey Him. I’m grateful for this life giving relationship with God the Father through the work of God the Son by the power of God the Holy Spirit. He wants us to obey Him out of genuine affection.

“Lord, help me draw near to You. I pray that I would seek after You and Your will with my whole heart. May I follow You all of my days, be filled with Your love and power, and dwell in Your house forever. Amen.”

We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.  Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.  But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.—I John 2:3-6