Transformation Through Revelation

Bible Study: "Knowing Christ: Transformation Through Revelation"

Key Verse: “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” — John 8:32

This study addresses the theme of knowing Christ and its relationship with true spiritual transformation.

The gospel not only presents the historical figure of Jesus but invites us to know Him in a deep and revelatory way. The transformation that Christ offers is not merely an external or moral change, but an inner transformation that occurs when the knowledge of Christ is illuminated by the Holy Spirit, leading us to a new way of living, thinking, and feeling.

The Knowledge of Christ: Intellectual vs. Revelational

The knowledge of Christ is one of the pillars of the Christian life. However, the Bible teaches us that intellectual knowledge about Christ, while important, is not enough to bring about true transformation. Knowing the story of Jesus, His teachings, or even recognizing His religious significance does not guarantee that a person's life will be transformed. True transformation only occurs when knowledge of Christ becomes revelational — that is, when it is understood in a deep and spiritual way.

The apostle Paul, in Ephesians 1:17-18, prays that the believers receive "the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling." This means that true knowledge of Christ is not achieved through intellectual effort alone, but is given by God through the action of the Holy Spirit, who illuminates our hearts and minds.

In John 14:6, Jesus says: “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me.” This verse not only reveals the identity of Christ but also points to the need for a personal and deep knowledge of Jesus. It is not about merely knowing about Him, but knowing Him intimately as Savior and Lord.

Knew But Did Not Live: The Example of Judas Iscariot

Judas Iscariot is a clear example of someone who had extensive knowledge about Christ but never experienced true transformation. Judas was chosen by Jesus to be one of His twelve disciples. He witnessed miracles, heard Jesus’ teachings, and was close to Him throughout His earthly ministry. Judas had the opportunity to be with Christ and to learn directly from Him. However, despite his vast knowledge of Jesus, Judas remained spiritually distant and incapable of being transformed by the truth that Jesus proclaimed.

In Matthew 26:14-16, we see that Judas, after three years of living with Christ, chose to betray Him for thirty pieces of silver. He, who knew the character of Jesus and had witnessed His compassion and power, still chose to betray Him. The problem for Judas was not a lack of knowledge about Jesus, but a lack of transformation in his heart. He did not allow the revelational knowledge of Christ to touch his life deeply.

What Judas lacked was the recognition of who Jesus truly was. For Judas, Jesus was merely a charismatic leader, a teacher with great abilities, but not the promised Messiah. He never understood that Christ came to save sinners, not to establish an earthly kingdom. Judas’ knowledge never deepened into a spiritual revelation of who Jesus truly was and what He represented. As a result, Judas followed a path of betrayal and perdition, despite his extensive intellectual knowledge.

Transformed by Revelation: The Example of James, Brother of Jesus

On the other hand, James, the brother of Jesus, illustrates a radical and genuine change that occurs when the knowledge of Christ becomes revelation. James, prior to his conversion, did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah. In John 7:5, it is written that “not even His brothers believed in Him.” James grew up alongside Jesus but did not recognize Him as the Son of God. Though he had intimate knowledge of Jesus as his brother, he did not have spiritual understanding of His redemptive mission.

The turning point for James occurs after the resurrection of Jesus. In 1 Corinthians 15:7, Paul mentions that Jesus appeared to James after His resurrection. This transformational encounter with the risen Christ was the key to James' conversion. The revelation of Jesus as the living Messiah opened James’ spiritual eyes, causing him to see who Jesus truly was. He went from being a skeptic to a fervent follower, recognizing Jesus not just as his brother but as Lord and Savior.

James’ transformation is evident in his leadership in the early church and in the content of the epistle bearing his name. The book of James is a powerful testimony of the change that occurs when someone receives the revelation of the risen Christ. In James 1:1, James introduces himself as “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” His life was completely transformed by knowing Christ in a new way — not as his natural brother but as Lord and Savior.

The Revelational Knowledge of Christ and Personal Transformation

Personal transformation occurs when knowledge of Christ is not just acquired information, but a spiritual revelation that changes the heart and life. When the Holy Spirit gives us understanding of who Christ is and what He has done for us, our life begins to reflect that new understanding. This is exemplified in Jesus’ words in John 8:32: “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” The true knowledge of the truth, revealed in Christ, brings freedom and transformation.

The apostle Paul speaks about this in 2 Corinthians 5:17, where he writes: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.” When knowledge of Christ becomes revelation in our lives, we experience new creation. This is not a superficial change, but an internal transformation, reflected in our attitudes, words, and actions.

In Ephesians 4:22-24, Paul exhorts the believers to “put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” This renewal occurs as we come to know the truth of Christ in a revelatory way, and that truth frees us from sin and leads us to new life in Christ.

Conclusion

The knowledge of Christ is not an end in itself but the means to a radical and lasting transformation. Judas Iscariot warns us that it is possible to have intellectual knowledge about Christ without experiencing true transformation. James, on the other hand, is an example that true transformation occurs when knowledge of Christ becomes revelation. When we know Christ in a revelatory way, our life is transformed, and we become new creations, reflecting the character of Christ in our daily living.

May we seek the true revelation of Christ, allowing Him to transform our hearts and minds, so that we may become more like Him in everything we do.

Fé Ativa (By Souza)

I am a web developer, Christian, married, and a father, with a firm conviction that God is in control of everything. In addition to my work, I am a writer in my spare time and the creator of the Fé Ativa project, where I aim to share my faith and vision. I believe in the importance of balancing technology, spirituality, and family for a greater purpose.