INTRODUCTION: This devotional series is based on J.I. Packer’s classic work, Knowing God. There is no greater quest, no more important activity, nothing that should be a higher priority than getting to know God. Too many Christians know about God without making their time with him personal. These devotionals are designed to challenge you to ask questions of yourself, bring these questions before God, make you think, and transform your relationship with God. My prayer is that your study will overflow in emotion, in touching your heart, in connecting with God, and sharing your relationship with others. The book consists of 22 Chapters, thus this series last 22 days. Dig in!
Chapter 3: Knowing and Being Known
Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:3
But whoever loves God is known by God. 1 Corinthians 8:3
What were we made for?
What aim should we set in life?
What is the ‘eternal life’ that Jesus gives?
What brings joy, delight, and contentment – more than anything else in life?
There is only one answer to all of these questions: TO KNOW GOD
Jer 9:23 Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight
Hos 6:6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. (KJV)
Once you figure out that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life’s problems fall into place of their own accord.
Knowing God is of necessity more complex than knowing man. God is actually speaking to us through his word – we must listen. God invites us, though we were prisoners of Satan, into His presence as a trusted friend, an adopted son.
Listening to the word, understanding through the Spirit, obeying it, and recognizing and rejoicing in in his love. We know God through Jesus – both spiritually and physically.
Knowing God is PERSONAL. It is more than knowing about him, it is based on a relationship.
Knowing God requires PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT. Ps. 34:3 taste and see that the Lord is good. He wants to know us for who we are. He created us and delights in us. Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you Isaiah 43:4.
Knowing God requires GRACE. God initiates – loving us, calling us, redeeming us, saving us. Understanding grace is the key to knowing God.
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. Titus 2:11-14
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. Titus 3:4-5
What matters in not just that I know God, but that he knows me!