Learning to Know Christ and Make Him Known
- Kalep Roberson
- Feb 1, 2019
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 20
At the heart of our lives as missionaries, at the core of our local church plant, and central to the Christian life is one mission: to know Christ and to make Him known.

This isn’t just a nice phrase—it is a biblical command, the foundation of discipleship, and the calling of every believer. Knowing Christ personally and sharing Him with others is how we live out both the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.
Whether you are a missionary, a church planter, a pastor, or simply a follower of Christ in your daily life, this mission applies to you. Every Christian, in every nation, is called to know Christ deeply and to make Him known to the world.
Knowing Christ: A Lifelong Pursuit
Many people know about Jesus, but truly knowing Him is something entirely different. It’s not just having knowledge—it’s living in relationship. It’s not just believing in Him—it’s abiding in Him.
Theology isn’t an abstract concept; it’s what we do. Right theology leads to right living. What we believe about Jesus should shape how we walk with Him daily. The more we know Him, the more we obey Him. True theology doesn’t just inform our minds—it transforms our hearts and actions.
Knowing Christ Means Abiding in Him
Jesus said in John 15:5, "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing."
Abiding in Christ is not about occasional spiritual moments—it is a constant dependence on Him. It means daily fellowship through prayer and Scripture, obedience to His Word, and a reliance on His strength rather than our own. Missionaries, pastors, and believers alike can only bear fruit in their ministry if they first abide in Christ.
Knowing Christ Transforms Everything
When we truly know Christ, it changes everything about us.
Our Identity – We are no longer lost, but redeemed (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Our Purpose – We no longer live for ourselves, but for His glory (Philippians 3:8)
Our Desires – We hunger for righteousness, not the world (Matthew 5:6)
The more we behold Christ, the more we become like Him (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Knowing Christ Fuels Our Mission
Paul declares in Philippians 3:8, "I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."
When we truly grasp who Jesus is, we cannot keep Him to ourselves. Knowing Christ compels us to make Him known.
Making Christ Known: Our Shared Mission
Jesus’ final words before ascending to heaven were, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19).
This is not an optional calling—it is the command that shapes our lives as missionaries, as a local church, and as Christians. Every believer is called to be a witness.
Making Christ Known is Not Just for Missionaries
Many people think evangelism is for missionaries and pastors. But every Christian is a missionary in their own community.
Parents make Christ known to their children
Students make Christ known in their schools
Employees make Christ known in their workplaces
Neighbors make Christ known in their communities
Missionaries and church planters may serve in different geographical locations, but the calling is the same for every believer.
Making Christ Known Through the Local Church
The mission of our local church is the same as ours: to make disciples by preaching the Gospel and living in biblical community.
Acts 1:8 tells us, "You will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
For our church plant, this means proclaiming the Gospel in our city through personal evangelism and public preaching, discipling new believers so they grow in their faith and knowledge of Christ, and training leaders to carry on the work and plant more churches.
The local church is God’s plan for making disciples. Missionaries work alongside churches, not outside them.
Making Christ Known Through Everyday Life
Jesus commands us not just to go, but to make disciples. That means sharing the Gospel with boldness and love, living a transformed life so people see Christ in our actions, and praying for the lost because salvation is God’s work.
Romans 1:16 says, "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes."
When we truly understand that the Gospel is the power of God, we will not be silent.
The Biblical Mandate for Every Christian
Knowing Christ and making Him known is not just our personal calling as missionaries—it is every Christian’s calling.
Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:20, "We are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us."
We represent Jesus to the world. That is not a side job—it is who we are as believers.
The Great Commandment and the Great Commission
Jesus summarized the entire law with two commands:
Love God with all your heart (Matthew 22:37)
Love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39)
And then He gave one final instruction before ascending: "Go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19).
Loving God leads to knowing Him more. Loving others leads to making Him known.
This is the Christian life.
How Can We Live This Out?
Grow in Knowing Christ
Spend daily time in Scripture and prayer
Seek discipleship and accountability in the church
Hunger for God’s presence more than anything else
Be Intentional in Making Christ Known
Share the Gospel with boldness and love
Be a faithful witness in both words and actions
Support missions and church planting through prayer and giving
Join the Work of the Church
Get involved in discipleship and evangelism
Serve in your local church
Help equip others to make Christ known
This is Our Mission—Join Us!
As missionaries, this is why we serve in Romania.
As a church, this is why we plant churches.
As believers, this is why we exist.
We are called to know Christ and make Him known. This is our mission, and it should be yours too.
Would you join us in this calling? Whether through prayer, giving, serving, or sharing, we invite you to be part of God’s mission to reach the nations.
Let’s know Christ deeply. Let’s make Him known boldly.
How is God calling you to live this out today?
Let us know in the comments.
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