This is the first in a series of articles the purpose of which is to address a very important question—Do You Know God? Why is this question so important? In writing about the return of Jesus at the end of time, the apostle Paul stated, “ . . . the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8). This passage teaches us that our eternal destiny will not only be based upon whether we obey the gospel but also upon whether we know God!
What does it mean to know God? It means more than to just know about God. When Moses went to the Pharaoh of Egypt and asked that he let God’s people leave, Pharaoh responded, “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and besides, I will not let Israel go” (Exodus 5:2). As the ruler of Egypt, Pharaoh would certainly have known about God; however, he did not truly know God as evidenced by his unwillingness to obey His voice.
It can not be said that we know God until our relationship with Him is so deep that we are willing to obey His voice. This is true faith that trusts in God and submits completely to His will. Regardless of the consequences, those who truly desire to know God will seek to know what He has revealed about Himself, what He has revealed about His will in the Bible (God’s inspired Word), and strive diligently to live in harmony with God and His revealed will for mankind.
In the following paragraphs, we will discuss three important facts about knowing God. This will not be an exhaustive analysis of the subject. It will be a starting point for further study as we move in the direction of a deeper knowledge of our God.
God Must Be Real To Those Seeking Him. The Bible does not present God as a myth, or a legend, or a fairy tale. It presents Him as a reality. And for those seeking to know Him, it sets forth in very clear terms what is necessary to please Him—”And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). To truly know God is to believe that He is—it is to accept the reality of God in our lives. And, with this knowledge, our lives will never be the same!
A Deeper Knowledge Of God Is Possible. What has God revealed about Himself? ”For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made . . . ” (Romans 1:20). We can learn of God’s intelligence and creative power through nature. In addition, we learn about God as He has revealed Himself through His word in the person of Jesus—“No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him” (John 1:18). A deeper knowledge of God is possible both through a study of nature and, more importantly, a study of the Bible which is a window into the heart of God.
Knowing God Will Bring Clarity To Life. Man without God is lost—in sin and without purpose in life. As we learn of God and His will for us, life’s most perplexing questions are answered. We learn of our origin—”God created man in His own image . . . ” (Genesis 1:26). We learn of our purpose—”The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). And, we learn of the way to God as Jesus taught His disciples—”I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6).
In conclusion, do you know God? Is He real to you? Are you seeking to know Him as He has revealed Himself in nature and His word? Do you desire the clarity that comes to life only through a deeper knowledge of God? Begin today on a personal quest to know your God!