Knowing God

The sheep that are My own hear My voice and listen to Me; I know them, and they follow Me. – John 10:27 AMP

Knowing God is a theme that runs concurrently through the Bible; unfortunately most Christians only stop at having a relationship with God and never press on to the place of knowing Him on a deeper level. Thus they deprive themselves of so many spiritual blessings that God has hidden for those who seek to know Him beyond the peripheral. God’s divine nature is so vast, so deep and so wide; it is a quite complex or multifaceted [divine] nature and can only be understood when there is a passionate desire to know him. For instance, the scriptures describe God as Creator, Father, Love, Judge, Lord of Hosts, Lawgiver, Light, King, Warrior etc.; these numerous aspects of God’s nature are not only to be read about in the Bible or preached in a sermon but to be experienced by God’s people.

…and [that you may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], that you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself]. – Ephesians 3:19 AMP

Beyond mere talk of the lips, God wants to be known experientially; He longs to reveal Himself to His people, especially those who mean business with Him. The knowledge of God has such power that it transforms those who seek after Him; it changes people from sinner to saint, from pride to humility, from wickedness to loving-kindness and makes the unworthy stand before God worthy and freely justified. Knowing God is so important to our existence and our common faith that Jesus prayed on our behalf:

Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true [supreme and sovereign] God, and [in the same manner know] Jesus [as the] Christ whom You have sent. – John 17:3 AMP

The knowledge of God [which is experiential] imparts His life into us! It conforms ours spirits and souls to be more like Him who made us in His image (See Genesis 1:27). God loves it when we seek to know Him as it shows that He holds a very important place in our lives. As a matter of fact, the most joyful and peaceful life is that of the Christian who is on a quest to know God on a [more] intimate level; such a life is full of holy adventure and divine glory. Such people will be made to see what many others could not see or know; they will be taken on a lifelong journey that will take them beyond their wildest dreams. They will hear God’s voice as He instructs and guides them; they will increasingly understand His person and know His ways. However, the knowledge of God is not exclusive to some ‘privileged’ individuals; so, no matter who or where you are right now, just know that you are invited by God to seek and to know Him!  

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. – James 4:8 NKJV