KNOWING GOD
We have a common phrase in society to describe a beloved figure
that goes as follows; “To know him is to love him”. When we really get to know
a person through our constant interaction with them, varied nuances of their
character is revealed to us. “Love at first sight” is an impossibility. One may
be attracted to another at first, but it requires much more time together to
cause that attraction to grow into love. Often, that initial feeling of
fondness, is completely reversed after a more intimate relationship reveals
serious character flaws in that person that cause the initial infatuation to be
changed into revulsion.
The goal of any relationship is to become more and more of
one mind. In order for this to be possible, self interest must be set aside in
the more noble quest to enter into the beloved’s realm of interest. It is only
when we pour our energies and interest into the life of another that a new
appreciation for that person takes form, and love is deepened to a greater
degree.
Our Creator desires to have a fulfilling love relationship
with each and every one of His created sons and daughters. The astounding thing
is that God would love any one of us. We are all hopelessly flawed, with no
capacity within, to perfect ourselves. Yet, the scriptures declare that, having
complete knowledge of us, God loves us anyhow, and proved it by giving the best
He could offer, His Son.
“For when we were still without strength, in due time
Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will
one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But
God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.” {Rom.
The reason that the bulk of humanity does not love God, is
that they do not KNOW Him. Notice, I did not say “know about Him”, for few
indeed are those that do not have at least a rudimentary knowledge of God’s
existence and power. But, this is a far cry from having a personal relationship
with The Lover of our souls. Even believers do not “know” Him in the way that
they will in future glory. This was Apostle Paul’s desire when he exclaimed:
“But what things
were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed
I also count all things loss for the excellence of THE KNOWLEDGE of
Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and
count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him,
not having my own righteousness, which is
from the law, but that which is
through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that
I may KNOW Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of
His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I
may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” {Phillip. 3:7-11}
“As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?” {Psa. 42:1,2}
So pants my soul for You, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?” {Psa. 42:1,2}
To many, the mere thought of being in God’s presence
evokes fear and dread. But, for the one who has tasted the presence of His
Spirit as the wellspring of life, it becomes his heart’s yearning goal, the
final blessed apex of a feeble and imperfect love of the creature for The
Creator, to embrace Him in heartfelt love and gratitude.
Another popular saying is: “Knowledge is power”. While
this may carry truth in the world of business, it becomes eminently more so in
matters of the heart. A more mature understanding of our God and who He is, Love
personified, unleashes the unlimited power of His love in us, and a burning desire to be with Him in prayer
and meditation of His Word. It is the result of this awakening of the heart,
that we are able to love even our adversaries, and emboldened to proclaim His
love and grace to all, reaping love’s harvest, overwhelming joy!
Jesus, our Lord, stated His purpose for entering
humanity’s realm:
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the LOST.”
{Luke 19:10}
It is this same Greek word “Lost” (‘Apollymi’), that is
translated “Destroyed” in {Luke 17:29}:
“People were eating
and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the
day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and DESTROYED
them all.”
“Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces
but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After
two days he will REVIVE us; on the third day he will RESTORE us, that we may
live in his presence. Let us ACKNOWLEDGE the Lord; let us
press on to ACKNOWLEDGE Him.” {6:1-3}
This is Love’s goal, to save the lost or destroyed, mostly
through much pain and hardship. This is how God draws His creatures to Himself.
We all must come to the end of our own futile efforts to deliver ourselves. Whoever
lacks the love of God’s Spirit is lost. All mankind was lost, until The Lover
of mankind appeared to save ALL. Love conquers all obstacles, including
mankind’s hatred for God. Pure Love overcomes EVERYTHING, and will save ALL men.
The argument
presented by many goes thus: “But God will not FORCE anyone to be saved.”
True!, but remember, the reason any person does not love God, and come to Him
in humble faith, is due to the fact that he does not KNOW God. But
there is coming a time when ALL will know Him, and therefore ALL will love and
adore Him!
Listen to the prophet Jeremiah:
“I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘KNOW THE LORD,’ because THEY WILL ALL KNOW ME, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” {Jer. 31:33,34}
I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘KNOW THE LORD,’ because THEY WILL ALL KNOW ME, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” {Jer. 31:33,34}
But the scriptures declare that “Love never fails”! Once
brought into the presence of pure Love, every heart will melt before Him, and
although they must pass through the fire of God’s correction, Love will rescue
every last one. This was the purpose of the Cross of Calvary! Did Christ
succeed or fail in His mission to “seek and save the lost”? Will we believe the
scripture that plainly declares?
he (Jesus) humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus EVERY knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and EVERY tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.” {Phillip. 2:8-11}
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus EVERY knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and EVERY tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.” {Phillip. 2:8-11}
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