"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." (John 10:27) In the book of Ephesians, Paul taught that one of the functions of the church is to build up the people in "the knowledge of the Son of God" (4:13). The word "knowledge" refers to full knowledge that is correct and accurate. That is the knowledge that Jesus is speaking of in John 10:27. He is not speaking of just knowing their identities, but of knowing them intimately. That is the way He wants us to know Him. Paul's desire is for every believer to develop this deep knowledge of Jesus by building a relationship with Him through prayer and faithful study of and obedience to God's Word. Growing in this deeper knowledge of Christ is a lifelong process that will not be complete until we see the Lord face-to-face!