In this final post on our topic of knowing God, we will look at the surest ways of knowing God intimately. As we mentioned in our last post, there are several things we can do to increase our knowledge of God. Today we will cover two.
The first secure way of growing in knowledge of God is through what He says about Himself in His word, the Bible. Because He is eternal, infinite, Almighty, and holy, we can only know Him based upon what He has said about Himself. A revelation of those truths must come to us in a personal way, whether in prayer and worship, fellowship with other believers, or through an anointed message we hear at our local gathering.
God’s word has the purest revelation of The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit we could possibly have. In the Bible we learn that God is holy. We learn God is good. We learn God is love. We learn God is merciful. We learn God is omnipotent. We learn God is omniscient. We learn God is omnipresent. We learn God is just. We learn God is perfect in all His ways. We learn He is the creator, Savior, deliverer, healer, provider, keeper, protector and so much more.
All this knowledge can be found in the scriptures, and experienced as we walk with Him and put our trust in what He has declared about His nature, will, and attributes.
We cannot know God by our emotions, though at times we may have encounters with Him that impact us emotionally. Our surest way of knowing Him is by His word, realizing He cannot lie.
“…in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began…. Titus 1:2
Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89
You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. John 5:39
Secondly, by meditating on the truths of God’s word, we can then have encounters with Him, through His Spirit, that will permeate us with the revelation of His word in an experiential way which can impact our spirit, mind, emotions, and body.
Revelation from God is truly the only way we can know Him, whether through study or meditation on His word, or by waiting on Him in prayer.
Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 16:17
It is this revelatory knowledge of God Paul prayed the church at Ephesus might have continually.
Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places…. Ephesians 1:15-20
Paul’s prayer reflects the heart of the Father. He wants to show us mighty things concerning Himself and His purpose for our lives.
Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3
The Father and the Lord Jesus Christ have ordained for us to experience their love continually.
He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." John 14:21
These are a mere fraction of the wonderful promises of God which reveal His desire to have an intimate and ongoing relationship with us. May you discover more of these wonderful insights as you search the scriptures. You will be amazed how rich His love and grace are toward us.
Experiential knowledge of God, based upon scripture, is what we all need. It is paramount to our spiritual growth and maturity in Christ.
Seek the Father for a revelation of Himself through the word of God. The scripture tells us to “taste and see that the Lord is good….” Psalm 34:8
Tasting (experiencing) Him can only be accomplished by spending time
in His word and presence. As you seek His face in prayer and fellowship with Him throughout the day, He will manifest Himself to you according
to His word and nature, thus you will begin to have an intimate knowledge of Him.
God invites us to know Him, but we must apply ourselves by drawing near to Him. As we do, our hearts will be flooded with light and revelation of His love, forgiveness, provision, faithfulness, kindness, grace, mercy, power, and goodness.
Be blessed in your journey of knowing the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in your daily life.
A new topic next time. Until then, may God our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ richly bless and keep you!
James Brown CST 06/16/2023