The Difference Between Accepting and Knowing Jesus

accept means to take or receive what's being offered with a consenting mind...when we go to the altar for salvation we have accepted the gift of Jesus but not yet opened the package up...
When we have accepted the gift we have joy...joy when we go to church, joy when we go to bible study, joy when we listen to tapes and cd's of sermons, joy when we listen to Gospel Music...but we don't KNOW HIM...what happens when temptations are thrown in our face?? We don't know how to handle the situation because we don't KNOW HIM...we slip on back to our old ways...we have just accepted the gift but it's just sitting on the table...
BUT...when you KNOW HIM, we have perception, meaning we become aware of HIM, We Identify with HIM, we understand Him, we have a clear and certain perception of the TRUTH... When we Know Him, we have opened up the package that we have accepted...
Knowing the Lord takes time and effort...
we spend 3 hours to watch a game, but do we spend three hours reading the word?
we spend and hour at the spa getting a massage, but do we spend an hour in prayer?
we know everything about our favorite TV characters, but do we know everything about the Lord?
we know all the stories about what's going on in the streets, and at the neighbor's house, in the beauty salon, and around the corner, what r&b singer is dating who,but do we know all the wonderful stories and miracles in the bible?
we know how to dress in the latest fashions and name brands and conform to the worlds standards of making a fashion statement, but do we conform to the image and likeness of Jesus Christ and let HIM be our fashion statement?
Accepting the Lord is receiving the gift of Jesus Christ...
Knowing the Lord is opening the gift and utilizing it...

Matthew 11:27-30
27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.