In the biblical context, "Those Who Acknowledge Him" refers to individuals who recognize and confess the sovereignty, authority, and divinity of God. This acknowledgment is not merely intellectual assent but involves a heartfelt commitment and submission to God's will, as revealed through Scripture. The act of acknowledging God is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, emphasizing the importance of faith, obedience, and worship.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, acknowledging God is often associated with the covenant relationship between God and His people, Israel. The Shema, found in Deuteronomy 6:4-5, serves as a central declaration of faith: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." This passage underscores the necessity of recognizing God's unique identity and responding with love and devotion.

The Psalms frequently call upon the faithful to acknowledge God through praise and worship. Psalm 100:3 states, "Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture." Here, acknowledgment is linked to understanding one's identity as belonging to God and living in accordance with His purposes.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, acknowledging God takes on a more personal dimension through the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself emphasizes the importance of acknowledging Him before others. In Matthew 10:32-33 , He declares, "Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven." This passage highlights the eternal significance of acknowledging Christ as Lord.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this theme in Romans 10:9-10 : "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved." Here, acknowledgment is intricately connected to salvation, requiring both belief and verbal confession.

Practical Implications

Acknowledging God involves a comprehensive response that affects every aspect of a believer's life. It includes worship, obedience, and a public declaration of faith. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This passage encourages believers to rely on God's wisdom and guidance in all circumstances.

The act of acknowledgment also carries a communal aspect, as believers are called to bear witness to God's truth in the world. 1 Peter 3:15 instructs, "But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect." This verse emphasizes the responsibility of believers to articulate their faith and hope in Christ to others.

Eschatological Perspective

From an eschatological perspective, the ultimate acknowledgment of God will occur at the end of time. Philippians 2:10-11 proclaims, "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." This future event underscores the universal recognition of Christ's lordship and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

In summary, "Those Who Acknowledge Him" encompasses a profound and multifaceted response to God's revelation, characterized by faith, confession, and a life oriented toward His glory.