INTRODUCTION: Knowing God (Phil 3:10)
In the rich tapestry of human existence, woven with threads of purpose, longing, and endless questions, there lies a pursuit as ancient as time itself – the desire to know God . This is not a mere intellectual curiosity, but a yearning for deeper meaning, connection, and belonging within the vast universe. The Bible, a sacred text revered by billions, paints a breathtaking picture of not just knowing God, but of cultivating an intimate relationship with Him, a journey promising a reward beyond any earthly treasure.
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Philippians 3:10)
Remember, this is just the beginning. As you delve deeper into Scripture and explore spiritual practices, your understanding of God will continue to blossom. Embrace the mystery, cherish the revelations, and never stop seeking. The journey of knowing God is an eternal adventure, leading to a destination of unending love, joy, and peace.
Knowing God isn’t just about collecting facts or ticking off religious boxes. It’s about building a vibrant, intimate tapestry of love and trust, a relationship that transcends mere intellectual knowledge. As Jeremiah beautifully echoes, “But let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight” (Jeremiah 9:24).
Knowing God: More Than Knowledge:
However, knowing God in this context goes far beyond mere intellectual knowledge. It is a relationship, a journey into the heart of the divine. John 17:3 beautifully proclaims, “And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” This understanding of knowledge as intimate encounter is echoed in Hosea 6:6, where God declares, “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” It is not ritualistic adherence, but a deep, personal connection that truly matters.
Purpose of Knowing God
This tapestry begins with recognizing the vibrant thread of God’s love running through our lives. John 3:16 declares, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This love isn’t a distant flame, but a warm ember that ignites our hearts, offering a foundation for true joy and purpose.
Transformation beyond Compare:
As we explore further into God’s nature, His character becomes the brushstrokes that shape our own. Proverbs 2:5 states, “Then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find knowledge of God.” This understanding isn’t merely academic; it translates into living out His attributes – His kindness, His justice, His righteousness.
Romans 12:2 encourages us to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” This transformation isn’t a one-time event, but a lifelong pilgrimage, drawing us closer to His likeness and equipping us to navigate life’s challenges with His wisdom and grace.
An Everlasting Hope:
Knowing God isn’t just about the present; it’s about embracing an eternal future woven into the tapestry. John 17:3 promises, “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” This intimate knowledge transcends earthly limitations, offering a glimpse into the profound joy and communion that awaits us in eternity.
The Path to Knowing God:
Prayer: In Matthew 6:9, Jesus teaches us to pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” It is through prayer that we open our hearts to God, allowing Him to enter and dwell within us.
Scripture: The Bible is not merely a historical document, but a living Word, a means of encountering God’s voice and revelation. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Paul writes, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
Community: We are not meant to walk this path alone. Hebrews 10:25 encourages us, “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as is the habit of some, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Finding a community of fellow believers who share this journey of knowing God provides mutual support, guidance, and encouragement.
Building a Personal Understanding on Knowing God
While God’s nature transcends our finite comprehension, as proclaimed by the Psalmist, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it” (Psalm 139:6), the Bible offers clear pathways to experience His presence and love. This knowing isn’t about acquiring exhaustive facts, but about building a personal understanding through:
1. Encountering God in His Creation:
The first step on this transformative journey is encountering God in His creation. As the Psalmist so eloquently writes, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.”(Psalm 19:1-2”). Look around you! The intricate beauty of nature, the vastness of the universe, the delicate balance of ecosystems – all point to the power, wisdom, and boundless love of a Creator who desires to be known.
The world around us, with its intricate complexity and breathtaking beauty, serves as a constant reminder of His creative power and boundless love. As Apostle Paul writes, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made” (Romans 1:20).
2. Delving into His Word:
The Bible isn’t a mere historical record; it’s a living voice, speaking directly to our hearts and minds. Through its stories, wisdom, and prophecies, we encounter God’s character, His plans for humanity, and His enduring love Through its pages, we encounter stories of faith, courage, and transformation. We hear His teachings on love, forgiveness, and hope. As we delve deeper into Scripture, we begin to understand the depth of His love and the transformative power of knowing Him. We gain insight into His desires for us and find guidance for navigating the complexities of life.
The verse in 2 Timothy 2:15 ( echoes this very spirit of excavation, urging us to “study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Call to “rightly divide the word of truth” points to the critical skill of discernment. The Bible, like any vast landscape, presents diverse terrain. There are historical narratives, poetic expressions, legal pronouncements, and timeless principles. Recognizing these distinctions, understanding the context, and applying them relevantly to our modern-day challenges – that’s the mark of a true master craftsman of God’s Word.
3. Cultivating Communion through Prayer:
Prayer is not merely a religious ritual; it’s a bridge connecting our finite hearts to the infinite God. It’s a space for intimacy, vulnerability, and surrender, where we can pour out our joys and sorrows, seeking His wisdom and solace. As we converse with Him in quiet reflection and open communication, we cultivate a personal connection that transcends words. In the stillness of prayer, we begin to experience the peace and joy that come from knowing God on a deeper level.
Matthew 6:6 (New International Version): “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
This verse from the teachings of Jesus underscores the intimacy of prayer. It encourages private and sincere communication with God, emphasizing that the unseen interaction in the quietness of prayer is acknowledged and rewarded by our Heavenly Father. This aligns well with the idea of prayer as a space for vulnerability, intimacy, and a deep connection with God.
4. Living in Love and Obedience:
Knowing God isn’t confined to passive understanding; it it’s a call to action. As Jesus himself declared, “Whoever keeps my word truly knows my Father, and you will know me” (John 8:55).
Proverbs 3:3-4: “Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will find favor and good repute in the sight of both God and man.”
Loving God and loving others are the ultimate expressions of this knowledge, lived out in our daily choices and interactions with the world around us ( Luke 6:35-36) . When we extend compassion, practice forgiveness, and strive for justice, we embody the teachings of Christ and become living testaments to the transformative power of knowing God.
Embark on this incredible adventure with an open heart and a curious mind. Let the Bible be your guide, let creation be your teacher, let prayer be your bridge, and let love be your compass. In the quiet moments of seeking, you might just discover the profound joy, transformative purpose, and immeasurable reward that comes from truly knowing God.
Remember, this is just the beginning. As you delve deeper into the Bible and explore spiritual practices, your understanding of God will continue to blossom. Embrace the mystery, cherish the revelations, and never stop seeking. The journey of knowing God is an eternal adventure, leading to a destination of unending love, joy, and peace.
The Reward that Surpasses All Others
The journey of knowing God is dynamic. a lifelong adventure filled with moments of profound insight, moments of doubt, periods of questioning and even hardship. But within the pages of Scripture, we find unwavering encouragement. As the prophet Hosea declares, “But you, O Israel, will serve your God, and your grain and your new wine will abound. You will be glad, and the earth will be glad, and the heavens will rejoice” (Hosea 2:21-23)
The reward of knowing God is not a fleeting earthly pleasure; it’s an everlasting wellspring of joy, peace, and purpose. The pursuit might not always be easy. It requires dedication, humility, and an openness to His guidance since; it’s the fulfillment of our deepest longings, the answer to our most profound questions, and the foundation for a life lived in alignment with divine love. So, embark on this incredible adventure with an open heart and a curious mind. Let the Bible be your guide, let creation be your teacher, let prayer be your bridge, and let love be your compass. In the quiet moments of seeking, you might just discover the surpassing reward that comes from truly knowing God.
So, what are the rewards of embarking on this journey of knowing God? Scripture offers a tapestry of blessings:
Peace and Joy: In John 14:27, Jesus promises, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let your heart not be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” This inner peace, unshakeable even in the face of adversity, is a direct consequence of knowing God, the source of all that is true and good.
Purpose and Meaning: In Jeremiah 29:11, God assures us, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Knowing God brings clarity to our lives, aligning us with His greater purpose, and imbuing our existence with profound meaning.
Love and Forgiveness: Through knowing God, we experience not just His love for us, but also the capacity to love others as He loves us. 1 John 4:7-8 defines it succinctly, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” This transformative love, coupled with the liberating power of forgiveness found in knowing God, allows us to transcend personal limitations and build meaningful relationships.
Eternal Life: Ultimately, the greatest reward of knowing God is the promise of eternal life. John 3:16, the cornerstone of Christian faith, declares, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” This everlasting communion with God, free from pain and suffering, is the culmination of the journey of knowing Him.
However, the rewards are beyond compare. As 1 Peter 1:3-4 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.”
The Inherent Desire for God:
The Bible paints a poignant picture of a humanity innately attuned to the divine. In Ecclesiastes 3:11, we find the declaration, “He has put eternity in their hearts.” This innate awareness of something beyond the material, something eternal, sets the stage for the pursuit of God. In Psalm 42:2, the psalmist cries out, “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?” This thirst, this deep desire for God, is not something imposed from the outside, but a yearning woven into the very fabric of our being.
In conclusion, while earthly rewards may fade and tarnish, the knowledge of God offers a wealth of blessings that enrich our lives now and forever. It’s a relationship fueled by love, a transformation that aligns us with His character, and an unshakeable hope for eternity. So, let us embark on this magnificent journey, embracing the immense reward of knowing God, the one true source of lasting happiness and fulfillment.
Additional Bible References:
- Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
- Philippians 3:8 “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”
- Deuteronomy 34:8 “But Moses was now 120 years old when he died. His eyes were still good, his vigor was not impaired.” (God rewarded Moses with a prolonged, vibrant life for being faithful)
Other helpful links:
www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/is-christ-consciousness-a-biblical-idea.html www.reddit.com/r/Christians/comments/w0ezu4/deathly_afraid_of_hebrews_6_please_help/ www.gotquestions.org/natural-religion.html
