Can We Really Know GOD
Imagine the tragic state of ignorance that Paul found in the people of Athens?
“As I passed by, and beheld your devotions, 1 found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.” Acts 17: 23.
By contrast what striking affirmation did Paul make?
“I know whom I have believed.” 2 Timothy 1: 12.
“The heart of religion is not an opinion about God such as philosophy might reach as the conclusion of its argument it is a personal relationship with God.” - Dr. W. Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury, in “Nature, Man, and God,” page 54.
How does he express his desire for others?
“I cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.” Ephesians 1:15-17.
The only knowledge which is of any avail in the light of eternity is a personal, intimate knowledge of God. Christianity is not merely belief in certain facts about a Person; it is rather a knowledge of that Person. Only this can transform lives and solve the problems of humanity. Christianity is not a philosophy, but a life -not a knowledge of abstract principles, but a personal knowledge of faith and love of God in Christ.”-Dr. Barry in Ellicott’s “Commentary.”
Can unaided human reason attain to a knowledge of God?
“Touching the Almighty we cannot find Him out.” Job 37:23.
Skilled as man may be in the elucidation of the mysteries of the universe, he cannot find out God. Elihu spoke truly when he said, “Behold, God is great, and we know Him not, neither can the number of His years be searched out.” Job 36:26.
Why cannot we search out God in the same way that we study natural phenomena?
a. Because He cannot be apprehended by the physical faculties.
“You have neither beard His voice at any time, nor seen His shape.”
John 5: 37.
b. Because the finite mind cannot comprehend the infinite.
“That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?” Ecclesiastes 7: 24.
c. Because sinful man cannot approach unto God.
“Thou can not see My face: for there shall no man see Me, and live.” Exodus 33: 20.
Though man cannot find out God, what does God offer to do for man?
“I will make known My words unto you.” Proverbs 1: 23.
“He opened the ears of men, and sealed their instruction.” Job 33: 16.
Through what channels does God make Himself known to man?
a. Through His works. “The invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead.” Romans 1:20.(See also Psalm 19:l.)
b. Through inspired men. “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets.” Hebrews 1:1.
c. Through Jesus. “We know that the Son of God is come, and has given us an understanding,- thatwe may know Him that is true.” 1 John 5:20. (See also John 1:18)
d. Through the Spirit in personal experience. “You have an unction from the Holy One, and you know all things.” “You need not that any man teach you.” 1 John 2: 20, 27.
Why do many fail to apprehend God?
“The natural man received not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.1 Corinthians 2:14.
On what conditions is this spiritual perception given?
a. Spiritual desire. “Yea, if thou cried after knowledge, and lifted up thy voice for understanding; if thou seek her as silver, and searched for her as for hid treasures; then shall thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.” Proverbs 2: 3-5.
b. Faith. “He that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He rewards them that diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6.
c. Readiness to obey. “His secret is with the righteous.” Proverbs 3: 32.
What are some of the blessings which a knowledge of God brings to the believer?
a. Peace. “Acquaint now thyself with, Him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.”
Job 22: 21.
“God has made us for Himself and we are restless until we find our rest in Him.” - Augustine.
b. Joy. “Thou wilt show me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16: 11.
The world is full of pleasure, but how little joy! The appearance of happiness is but a cloak to conceal an aching heart, a feeble attempt to escape from the sorrow which is sapping the life of mankind.
How different is the joy of knowing Him! It is not superficial and transient, but deep and enduring.
c. Understanding. “Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord.” Hosea 6:3. “For the Lord gives wisdom.” Proverbs 2:6. (See also James 1:5.) d. Comfort. “Who comforted us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” 2 Corinthians 1:4.
e. Confidence and hope. “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12.
What supreme blessing does the knowledge of God bring to the believer?
“This is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou has sent.” John 17: 3.
What urgent call therefore comes to us?
“Seek you the Lord while He may be found, call you’ upon Him while He is near.” Isaiah 55:6.
God is infinitely willing and desirous of bestowing His companionship upon us. Tenderly He pleads for us to come to Him. He will not force an entrance into the sanctum of the soul if we do not wish to know Him, but He knocks at our heart’s door, and if we will open to Him, He will come in and abide with us.
How should we respond to the call of God?
“When Thou said, Seek you My face; my heart said unto Thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.” Psalm 27:8.
To know Him; to talk with Him; to tell Him all our joys and sorrows, and to hear His words of comfort; to walk with Him in the daily tasks of life and to feel the support of His powerful arm -what a glorious privilege! Shall we refuse such an invitation?
What benediction does Peter pronounce upon believers?
“Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 3:18.
“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” 2 Peter 1:2.
“He leads me beside the still waters.”
“As I passed by, and beheld your devotions, 1 found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.” Acts 17: 23.
By contrast what striking affirmation did Paul make?
“I know whom I have believed.” 2 Timothy 1: 12.
“The heart of religion is not an opinion about God such as philosophy might reach as the conclusion of its argument it is a personal relationship with God.” - Dr. W. Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury, in “Nature, Man, and God,” page 54.
How does he express his desire for others?
“I cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.” Ephesians 1:15-17.
The only knowledge which is of any avail in the light of eternity is a personal, intimate knowledge of God. Christianity is not merely belief in certain facts about a Person; it is rather a knowledge of that Person. Only this can transform lives and solve the problems of humanity. Christianity is not a philosophy, but a life -not a knowledge of abstract principles, but a personal knowledge of faith and love of God in Christ.”-Dr. Barry in Ellicott’s “Commentary.”
Can unaided human reason attain to a knowledge of God?
“Touching the Almighty we cannot find Him out.” Job 37:23.
Skilled as man may be in the elucidation of the mysteries of the universe, he cannot find out God. Elihu spoke truly when he said, “Behold, God is great, and we know Him not, neither can the number of His years be searched out.” Job 36:26.
Why cannot we search out God in the same way that we study natural phenomena?
a. Because He cannot be apprehended by the physical faculties.
“You have neither beard His voice at any time, nor seen His shape.”
John 5: 37.
b. Because the finite mind cannot comprehend the infinite.
“That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?” Ecclesiastes 7: 24.
c. Because sinful man cannot approach unto God.
“Thou can not see My face: for there shall no man see Me, and live.” Exodus 33: 20.
Though man cannot find out God, what does God offer to do for man?
“I will make known My words unto you.” Proverbs 1: 23.
“He opened the ears of men, and sealed their instruction.” Job 33: 16.
Through what channels does God make Himself known to man?
a. Through His works. “The invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead.” Romans 1:20.(See also Psalm 19:l.)
b. Through inspired men. “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets.” Hebrews 1:1.
c. Through Jesus. “We know that the Son of God is come, and has given us an understanding,- thatwe may know Him that is true.” 1 John 5:20. (See also John 1:18)
d. Through the Spirit in personal experience. “You have an unction from the Holy One, and you know all things.” “You need not that any man teach you.” 1 John 2: 20, 27.
Why do many fail to apprehend God?
“The natural man received not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.1 Corinthians 2:14.
On what conditions is this spiritual perception given?
a. Spiritual desire. “Yea, if thou cried after knowledge, and lifted up thy voice for understanding; if thou seek her as silver, and searched for her as for hid treasures; then shall thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.” Proverbs 2: 3-5.
b. Faith. “He that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He rewards them that diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6.
c. Readiness to obey. “His secret is with the righteous.” Proverbs 3: 32.
What are some of the blessings which a knowledge of God brings to the believer?
a. Peace. “Acquaint now thyself with, Him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.”
Job 22: 21.
“God has made us for Himself and we are restless until we find our rest in Him.” - Augustine.
b. Joy. “Thou wilt show me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16: 11.
The world is full of pleasure, but how little joy! The appearance of happiness is but a cloak to conceal an aching heart, a feeble attempt to escape from the sorrow which is sapping the life of mankind.
How different is the joy of knowing Him! It is not superficial and transient, but deep and enduring.
c. Understanding. “Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord.” Hosea 6:3. “For the Lord gives wisdom.” Proverbs 2:6. (See also James 1:5.) d. Comfort. “Who comforted us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” 2 Corinthians 1:4.
e. Confidence and hope. “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12.
What supreme blessing does the knowledge of God bring to the believer?
“This is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou has sent.” John 17: 3.
What urgent call therefore comes to us?
“Seek you the Lord while He may be found, call you’ upon Him while He is near.” Isaiah 55:6.
God is infinitely willing and desirous of bestowing His companionship upon us. Tenderly He pleads for us to come to Him. He will not force an entrance into the sanctum of the soul if we do not wish to know Him, but He knocks at our heart’s door, and if we will open to Him, He will come in and abide with us.
How should we respond to the call of God?
“When Thou said, Seek you My face; my heart said unto Thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.” Psalm 27:8.
To know Him; to talk with Him; to tell Him all our joys and sorrows, and to hear His words of comfort; to walk with Him in the daily tasks of life and to feel the support of His powerful arm -what a glorious privilege! Shall we refuse such an invitation?
What benediction does Peter pronounce upon believers?
“Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 3:18.
“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” 2 Peter 1:2.
“He leads me beside the still waters.”
posted by Michael A. Redwine at Wednesday, September 21, 2005
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