What to know about God?
What does God want us to know about Himself? What does up close and personal look like? God wants us to know truth. About Himself, who He is, and truth concerning His plan for our life. Knowledge of truth is enlightenment. That is the reason it is important to practice spiritual disciplines: to draw near to hear the revealed truths of God (2 Cor. 4:6).
Paul’s prayer for the Colossians outlines what knowing God looks like:
So, we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. (Col. 1:9-10, NLT)
What does knowing God look like? Knowledge of Him, wisdom, understanding, and spiritual growth (maturity). And armed with these things, what will be the results? A life that honors and pleases God and produces “good fruit.” We must remember that God has created us for “good works” (Eph. 2:10) and has spiritually invested in our lives.
In addition, through knowledge of Him and His truth, we will be strengthened with power that will increase our spiritual endurance, joy, and perseverance (Col.1:11). Armed with God’s knowledge, is there anything we cannot do? Are there any challenges we cannot overcome?
How will we know if we know?
Knowledge of God in the Old Testament was expressed through mediators and agreements that acknowledged what was expected by each party. Such was the case with the various covenants God entered into with Israel (Isa. 1:2; Deut. 11:1-25). Included in those covenants were expectations on how those entering into agreement with God were to live.
In the New Testament, knowledge of God became more personal. No longer would God use mediators or special agreements. It was Christ who would make God known to man (John 1:18). Knowing God was no longer an intellectual exercise or contractual agreement, but an individual response of faith and acceptance of Christ as Lord and Savior.
Biblically to know God is not to know about him in an abstract and impersonal manner, but rather to enter into his saving actions. To know God is not to “struggle philosophically” with his eternal essence, but rather to recognize and accept his claims. It is not some mystical contemplation, but dutiful obedience.
We shall know fully.
Besides practice of spiritual disciplines, another way to grow in our knowledge of God is to fellowship with other believers who can share their personal experiences with the Lord. As we grow, we are to reveal our testimonies with others, so they can come to know God as well.
For now, our knowledge of God is limited. “Perfect” knowledge of God is reserved for us in eternity future (1 Cor. 13:12). God has, however, revealed what we need to know through Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 2:16).
The believer’s knowledge of God in Jesus Christ is only provisional. It is sufficient for recognizing and trusting the object of faith (John 17:3; Rom. 10:9). Without answering all our questions, it provides an adequate light for the journeyer in this darkened world (2 Pet. 1:19). But this knowledge is only a foretaste of knowing God “face to face” in the hereafter, when the day dawns and the morning star arises in our hearts (2 Pet. 1:19)[1].
What has been revealed to date is more than enough to garner our trust and our allegiance.
[1] EDBT, Timothy R. Phillips.