As we prepare for Christmas this year, approximately a month away, I would like for us to consider what it means to know God. We should understand that knowing about God is different than actually knowing Him. Therefore, we’re going to take a break from our study of Matthew’s Gospel to concentrate on on the meaning of knowing God.
Several years ago, I preached a series of messages on the topic Knowing God. What does the title “knowing God” mean? How does this ongoing discipline of knowing God occur? Who is responsible for knowing God? What particular people are to passionately pursue the discipline of knowing God?
To “know” (Hebrew – ‘yode’; Greek – ginosko; oida) biblically means to understand, to be familiar with, to recognize, and to possess information. The object believers in Christ are to understand, to be familiar with and to possess information of is the One, True God of the Scriptures.
Please notice that the word “knowing” is a present active participle. I am using that word deliberately. Believers never arrive at a complete knowledge of God prior to heaven. We are always on an active, informative, progressive, and passionate journey of continuously knowing, and understanding God.
This journey of knowing God is not only about who He is, but also about what He does. What is God like? What are His attributes and is there any one attribute greater than others? What does God hate? Does God hate? What are the many things God has chosen to do?
In what or who does He delight? Is there any way that believers in Christ can make God love them more? Is there any way believers in Christ can make God love them less?
Is knowing God exists sufficient to save an individual from God’s wrath? If not, what can or does save a sinner from the wrath of God. Is God a God of wrath?
As you can see, there are many questions surrounding the subject of knowing God. Our goal is to acquire biblical answers. I encourage you to read, meditate and even memorize Jeremiah 9:23-24. Let’s begin.
23 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:23–24 (ESV)
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 