Knowing God

 Knowing God The well-known John 17:3 reads, "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." Since eternal life is knowing God, we should understand what the Greek word underlying "know" means. It is ginōskō (Strong's #1097), which signifies "to learn," "to know," "to come to know," "to understand," "to perceive," and "to become acquainted with." Another significant definition for ginōskō is "a knowledge grounded on personal experience" or what is sometimes called "experiential knowledge." Through personal familiarity, we can have faith in another person because we know how they will (or will not) act in each situation. Faith is grounded in the character of an individual we trust. Ginōskō's Hebrew equivalent is yādāʿ (Strong's #3045). It means "to know," "to perceive," "to find out and discern," "to discriminate and distinguish," "to know by experience," "to recognize," "to admit,""to acknowledge," "to confess," "to consider," "to be acquainted with someone," and "to know someone carnally," among other options. In his book, 52 Hebrew Words (Every Christian Should Know), Dave Adamson focuses on just one or two of these definitions and explains that yādāʿ means "to know from experience and relationship, and to act on that experience." He cites theologian Lois Tverberg, who explains, "It is knowing [God] as a son knows his father, or as a wife does her husband." We can see this exhibited in Genesis 4:1: "Now Adam knew [yādāʿ] Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, ‘I have acquired a man from the LORD.'" Knowing God is far more than merely knowing about Him. God is not just a thing; He is a Person, greater than us by far but like us because He made us in His image (Genesis1:26-27). No description in a book or even by an eyewitness can help someone understand another better than what is learned from a personal relationship with that person. We might see someone on the news and hear reporters talk in detail about him, butwithout direct interaction, we lack a significant relationship with him. We do not really know him. Such is the case with God. The Bible provides a reader with a great deal of information about what He is like, but until the reader engages in personal contact with Him and strives to imitate His character, he is, in essence, just reading abiography. So, salvation and eternal life—what we all desire—begins with having a relationship with the Father and His Son. The Father initiates it by calling us to Christ (John6:44) and transforming us into His image (Romans12:2) through a lifetime of growth in knowledge and righteousness (Ephesians4:13-24). How can we develop and improve the relationship that has been so graciously offered to us? God has provided a means of communication through which we can come to know Him better. He speaks to us through His Word, and we speak to Him in prayer. Christians must engage in this conversation repeatedly, even continually, so we can come to know Him intimately. The author of Hebrews writes in Hebrews 11:6 "that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Prayer helps us "seek His face" (Psalm 27:7-8; 105:4), and when combined with Bible study, fasting, and practicing what we learn, we learn how He thinks, speaks, and acts. We come toknow Him. So, by regularly engaging in these four activities, we can improve our relationship with God and know Him better: prayer, study, fasting, and obedience. Prayer is our half of communication with God. We can think of it as our part in fellowshipping with Him. Through prayer, we come into the presence of the most holy Being in the entire universe to speak with Him about our thoughts, activities,needs, and desires. Prayer does not change God's mind—His will is perfect—but our close communion with Him through it should work to change our wills to align with His. Remember, He is changing us, transforming us, to become independent, thinking individualswith the same character He has. Through prayer, He causes us to think about our requests. It is a good idea that when we petition God for something, we offer Him our reasons for it. As we consider them in light of His will, we learn and grow in His image. This may be why "theeffective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" (James5:16). Through prayer, we come to know how God thinks, and we change our thoughts accordingly. The next tool in our belt is Bible study. God's Word is His revelation of Himself, His purpose, His plan, and His will. When we not only read it but also study it intensely and meditate on what we ingest, we receive insight into Himthat can be found in no other way. We can also learn about God by studying what He has created. The apostle Paul writes: For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead [i.e., divine nature], so that they are without excuse. (Romans1:18-20) Similarly, David proclaims, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech and knowledge night after night" (Psalm 19:1-2). God's very Creation teaches us much about the faithfulness, beauty, and character of the Most High. Occasional fasting also helps in coming to know God. The purpose of fasting is to draw close to Him and humbly realize our dependence on Him for everything! God calls the lowly and the base, especially in comparison to Him, and we must humbly acknowledge this fact. This draws God's attention: "But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word"(Isaiah66:2). Psalm 138:6 similarly reads, "Though the LORD is on high, yet He regards the lowly; but the proud He knows [yādāʿ] from afar [a distant relationship]." Peter advises: . . . be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (IPeter 5:5-7) Humility, which fasting helps to produce, is the vital attitude in which we can learn and come to know God. When we are humble, God gives us His attention and provides what we need, which is a more complete knowledge and deeper relationshipwith Him. Finally, as we seek to know God, it becomes our obligation to use what we have gained by living lives of obedience to Him. Doing so ensures that we will have to face many of our shortcomings and strive to overcome them. It is only by practicingGod's way in submission to His will that righteous character is formed. His law becomes written on our hearts (Jeremiah31:33; II Corinthians 3:3). The apostle John writes in I John 2:3-4. "Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, ‘I know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." To stay in a thriving relationship with God, we must remain faithful,committed, and obedient. Although we stumble along the way, salvation begins right now as we strive to learn about and obey God. Paul writes in Romans 8:29, "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son." That is what God wants us to become, and if we stay the course, we will see I John 3:1-2 come to pass in our lives: Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the children of God! Therefore, the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know thatwhen He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. As we examine ourselves and implement the changes we must make to prepare for Passover and beyond, we must continue learning about, becoming better acquainted with, and imitating the Father and His Son. The personal, experiential knowledge we gain is where eternal life begins. - John Reiss