How Do We KNOW?
By Rocky Black

Many of us can remember where we were when major things happened: 9/11, the assassination of President Kennedy, or when Elvis died. We also remember important personal milestones, like our first concert, soccer game or kiss.

Where were you when you positively knew that Jesus is for real, that He exists and is the knowable, personal God of the universe (Heb 11:6)? No, I don’t mean that you think you know, but that you are certain that He’s for real and are staking your life on it.

This moment makes all the difference in our Christian lives. In Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked his disciples: “Who do the crowds say that I am?” And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God” (Luke 9:20, ESV). Some were thinking Jesus might be the Christ, but Peter knew and proclaimed that Jesus was who He claimed to be!

Chuck Colson was Special Counsel to President Nixon during the Watergate years. Colson came to faith in Christ as his world was crashing in. He was indicted for Watergate related crimes, his teenage son was arrested on drug charges, he was broke from huge legal expenses, and was staring at a lengthy prison term.

Al Quie, then Governor of Minnesota, was a strong believer and involved with a Christian ministry on Capitol Hill. Quie discovered a little-used federal law declaring that in times of emergency, a volunteer could serve the prison term of the convicted, with the President’s approval. Quie called Colson to tell him that he had discussed everything with his wife and family, and that he was packed and ready to serve the remainder of Colson’s prison term in his place.

Colson broke down. Torrents of tears fell from this proud and accomplished man’s eyes as he realized the truth and seriousness of the grace being offered him. Only because of an unflinching faith in Jesus – faith with certainty – would someone offer such an outlandish and irrational gift. “At that moment,” Colson recalled, “I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus Christ was real.”

Do you know for certain that Jesus is real? If not, pray, and He will show you. It may not happen as dramatically as it did for Colson, but maybe more like Peter, or for me, over time. In love, how can we show someone today that Jesus is real? Some people are not ready to receive the thundering grace of God, but they can at least experience it through you or me. We don’t need to go to jail to prove it, but we can serve them so outlandishly that they are moved and changed by the power of Jesus. Who do you say that Jesus is?

Rocky Black is a member and leader at the Vineyard. He and his family have been a part of our fellowship since 1995. Rocky, and his wife, Laura, lead the Voeller Avenue Home Group, which meets on the first and third Monday of each month.