How do we know knowing Jesus is essential for salvation?

Knowing Jesus in a saving way is crucial because it signifies being redeemed and having our sins forgiven. The relationship formed through this knowledge is initiated by God's grace, as He gives us the ability to believe and trust in Him. This saving knowledge is distinctly different from mere intellectual acknowledgment; it is about having a personal encounter with Christ that transforms our hearts and lives. As Ephesians 2:8-9 states, salvation is by grace through faith, not of works, emphasizing that true knowledge of Christ results in a saving relationship.