Knowing the True One vs. Experiencing the True One vs. Abiding in the True One

 

Knowing the True One vs. Experiencing the True One vs. Abiding in the True One

1 John 5:20 – “We know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.”

John 1:14 – “The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us, full of grace and reality.” 

Aspect	Knowing the True One	Experiencing the True One	Abiding in the True One
Meaning	Refers to knowing the true God as our reality through the understanding given by His Son (1 John 5:20). This is not merely objective knowledge but a subjective knowing.	Refers to actually experiencing, enjoying, and possessing God so that He becomes our subjective reality rather than only an objective God.	Refers to being organically joined, mingled, and united with God in life and reality—not merely knowing or experiencing Him but living and acting in Him.
Symbolism	The enlightening of the mind and the opening of understanding (Eph. 1:17–18); knowing the truth as knowing reality.	Experiencing God as the Spirit who fills and satisfies (John 7:37–39); God becomes the reality of our living.	Organic union with God (1 John 4:15–16), as the branch in the vine (John 15:5).
Distinction	Belongs to the realm of revelation and understanding—illumination in the mind.	Belongs to the realm of experience and reality—fellowship and inward enjoyment.	Belongs to the realm of organic union—being one with God in life and nature.
Explanation	The Son of God has given us understanding to know the true God (1 John 5:20). Such knowing includes enjoyment and experience.	Experience is the practical outworking of knowing; by enjoying the divine reality we make the true God our reality.	To be in Him is to be in Christ (1 John 5:20b); to be in Christ is to be in the true God (Col. 2:9). The Son and the True One are mutually indwelling.
Example	Peter recognized Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matt. 16:16)—by revelation from the Father.	Paul experienced Christ living in him (Gal. 2:20); God became his inward reality.	John declared, “God abides in him, and he in God” (1 John 4:15)—a mutual indwelling.
Application	Be enlightened daily by the Spirit and the Word to know God as the True One.	Exercise the spirit in prayer and fellowship to experience Him as grace and power.	Live in God’s presence—do everything in Christ, not by self (John 15:4–7).
Interrelationship	Knowing leads to experiencing; experiencing results in abiding—these three are progressive stages.	Experience deepens knowledge and brings us into abiding in Him.	Abiding is the ultimate issue and consummation of knowing and experiencing.
Related Scriptures	1 John 5:20 – “We know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.”	1 John 5:20b – “The Son of God has given us understanding so that we may experience, enjoy, and possess this reality, which is God Himself.” 1 John 4:15 – “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.”	1 John 5:20b – “We are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ.” Col. 2:9 – “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” John 15:5 – “I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me and I in him bears much fruit.”
Conclusion	Knowing the True One is the beginning—by revelation and enlightenment.	Experiencing the True One is the process—by the Spirit in reality.	Abiding in the True One is the consummation—living in union and oneness with God, the reality Himself.

  

*Please refer to the June 2025 Summer Training, General Topic: Experiencing, Enjoying, and Manifesting Christ (Part 3), Chapter 12: The True One