Articles
HOW CAN I KNOW GOD ?
Recently during a special series of Gospel meetings at Hackmann Road brother Mickey Galloway said something in one of the lessons that caught my special attention.....TO KNOW GOD IS NOT JUST TO KNOW ABOUT GOD. I suspect many folks think they know God when they really only know some things about Him. We must always "listen to all He has to say" so we can please Him.
God has provided everything we need to really KNOW HIM. However, it takes action on our part to bring that about. He has given us the Gospel (centered around His own Son) in order to bring us into a correct relationship with Him -- to be His children. (Romans 1:16). It takes an obedient faith to make that happen, for each of us.
So what are we talking about when we say HOW CAN I KNOW GOD.? Let's let the Apostle John give us the answer.
"My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for our only, but also for those of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come TO KNOW HIM, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, "I have come to know HIM" and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him; the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked." (1 John 2:1-6)
We can clearly see we are to have an obedient faith to comply with the terms of His teachings. To become Christians we must follow the instructions in the New Testament baptism for remission of sins completing the process. Only then are we ready to continue following Jesus' teachings to maintain that special relationship with God.(To be in fellowship with Him) Does God, our Creator and Savior, not have the right to expect us to be faithful to Him? Of course you know the answer. So out of respect and reverence (fear) for Him should we not find it an easy task to obey His Word?
"The conclusion, when all has been heard, is FEAR GOD AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS, because this applies TO EVERY PERSON. Because God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil." (Ecclesiastes 12:13,14)
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and every one who loves is born of God AND KNOWS GOD. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him." (1 John 4:7-9)
"For this is the love of God, that WE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS; and His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world-- our faith."( 1 John 4:3,4)
So, we can easily understand, to KNOW GOD, requires obedient faith on our part. First to become Christians (true Believers), and then continue a faithful life obeying His commands as we learn and grow..
"And this is love, that we walk ACCORDING TO HIS COMMANDMENTS. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, THAT YOU SHOULD WALK IN IT." (2 John 6)
So, as we go through life here, day by day, let us be reminded how important it is to keep the faith, grow as time goes by, and use that faith and knowledge to help others learn and have the hope of eternal life also.
Ross
