The question naturally arises -- where can that stability and serenity of soul be found. I recall early in my college days, seeing a phrase on the front of a building that I passed almost every day. Inscribed over the entrance was the phrase - “the half of knowledge is to know where to find it.” How very true that is. Consider the words of our Lord --
… “ye shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you free”(John 6:32).
Such a statement should turn our attention to that which is eternally True, the written Word of God. Each of the apostles frequently expounded on the concept of knowing. When the process of knowing is in view, the Greek word “ginosko” is used. When knowledge that is complete, perfect, fully comprehended is evident, the Greek word “oida” is used. Jesus made a distinction in “knowing” with these words as recorded for us in the gospel of John.
“Yet ye have not known (GINOSKO) him; but I know (OIDA) him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying”(John 8:55).
The skeptics and doubters had not yet learned of Him by faith, but He knew the Father completely. Some time later, on the eve of his crucifixion, our Lord encouraged his disciples to pursue knowing Him to the point of absolute confidence. He turned to Thomas and dogmatically stated --
… “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. If ye had known (GINOSKO) Me, ye should have known (OIDA) my Father also: and from henceforth ye know (GINOSKO) Him, and have seen Him”(John 14:6-7).
The challenge to learn of Him was given; it would be obeyed, and it would result in the confidence spoken of by the Apostle John. He writes in his first epistle --
9 “If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for the witness of God is this, that He has borne witness concerning His Son.10 The one who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the witness that God has borne concerning His Son.
11 And the witness is this that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.
13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life.
14 And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.”
(I John 5:9-15 NASB)