Gnosis:  self knowledge is knowledge of God.

In the Gospel of Thomas there is a saying attributed to Jesus – “If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you.  If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you.”   Ignorance, not sin, is what involves a person in suffering.  The human psyche bears within itself the potential for liberation or destruction.

“The Kingdom is inside of you” it says in Matthew.  “When you come to know yourself, then you will be known, and you will realize that you are the sons of the living Father.”

Such insight comes gradually, through effort.