Do You Know God?

October 2015 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Do You KNOW God?

Take a few moments and think about God. What comes to mind? Is “great” associated with the aspects you thought of? I first thought of Him in terms of creation – not just this planet, but the whole universe. Then His all-knowing, all-powerful and everywhere-present character came to mind. And who can fully grasp God’s holiness, righteousness, grace, mercy or love? “Ezra blessed the Lord the great God. And all the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen!’ while lifting up their hands; then they bowed low and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground” (Neh. 8:6 NASB ). The psalmist wrote that “the Lord is a great God and a great King above all gods (Ps. 95:3).

One may wonder if it is even possible to know God in view of His greatness. In the Spirit, John wrote to believers: “We know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life” (1 Jn. 5:20). Titus said, “The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus” (2:11-13). Obviously, it is possible! God’s desire is for us to know Him, not just know about Him. Such knowledge should impact our lives practically as well, causing us to commit them to Him and behave in manners that display His character.

Sadly, many people “profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless” (Ti. 1:16). After describing a sorrowful scene, Bildad pointed out that the “wicked” and “him who does not know God” are one and the same (Job 18:21).

So the question comes to you, dear reader. God has granted the blessing and privilege of knowing Him – and that as “Father.” Do you know Him as such? This comes only by faith. Or, are you seeking through some effort of your own to know God? If so, and if you continue in that way, you will never know Him (1 Cor. 1:21). You face “eternal destruction” (2 Th. 1:8-9). It’s your choice!

By Paul Alberts