Knowing God: Experience & Love Him

Paul J. Bucknell

Knowing God | Transcent vs. Immanent | Bible Says | Can I Know God? | How can I? 1 | How can i? 2-4 | What changes? | Reflections

Knowing God: Handout pdf | Study Questions | Video
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Knowing God Series Index

Series Introduction| Knowing God | The Revelatory God | Goodness of God | Holiness of God | Power of God | Omnipresent God | Exalted God | Faithfuness of God | Wisdom of God | Mercy of God |Wrath of God | Love of God | Sovereignty of God | Providence of God

Knowing God (1 John 1:3-4)

(2) Do I personally know God?

Purpose: There is a wide gap that exists between knowing about God and knowing Him. As we study 1 John 1:3 and the word fellowship, koinonia, we will gain a better understanding of the enriching and engaging personal relationship we are to have with God.

“And indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:3).

The first question on our minds should be, “Do I personally know God?” We can further refine this question, and later we will, to, “Do I rightly know and please the One who made and sustains me?”



Behind all our discussions, we must recognize that knowing God is not as straightforward as we might think. Sure, it is easy just to think God is love and ignore the more difficult questions.

Getting to know God can be like a maze. For example, why does a person need to read a book that is thousands of years old to understand God? Why can’t one just look up to the sky or follow a beautiful creek and respond to what one feels?

Religions

Others are enthralled with their religion and hesitate to substitute their good notions, feelings and measure of comfort for what is found in the holy scriptures. People are very insecure. One contemplating change must be willing to face the problem of what they now to believe as not true and trustworthy.

The inadequacy of religion, however, including Christianity, as a social or personal force is clearly disclosed by the centuries of time. Beware when religion and power join hands! The various systems of understanding God along with their treasured traditions have not solved man’s problems or bring renewal like Christ does in one’s life.

We must go beyond religion to the basic problem of mankind. Let me highlight four points why there are so many different conclusions to who God is and the various proposed answers to how we are to find peace with Him. At the same time we will show how belief in Christ solves our most basic relationship problems with God.

#1 Design – Started off great in the garden

The scene given in Genesis 2-3 shows that that there is a genuine reason for man to aspire to have a close relationship with God; it is not illusive. In the Garden of Eden, God walked and talked with man (Genesis 2:15-17).

Just from this scene, which Jesus fully affirmed as trustworthy (Matthew 19:5), we can see God walking with and conversing with man. God spoke with both Adam and Eve and they, though irresponsibly, both responded to God.

This was not an accident. God created the universe, the Garden and then placed man and woman there, designed to commune with Him. This is the deep design behind things.

Do you want to know your ultimate purpose? Without a deep relationship of God, life will be cheap. This is why people, seemingly ignorant of the serious consequences of bad habits, seek alternatives to fill that void found in their lives.

The good part is that God made man and woman in His image so that they could relate to Him. We can watch an ant carry a blade of grass from one side of the yard to the other, but we can’t get to know that ant.

Give it all the directions in the world, and it will not make a difference because we were not made at the same level. We can name for the ant and make a home for it, but we simply can’t relate to it nor can it relate to us.

The same is true with a dog. Some of us love dogs, but like Adam, we find that animals are on a whole different level of functioning and require a different level of communication with them. I remember once speaking bad things to a dog but with a very nice intonation. "You are a bad dog...." The dog, however, is happily wagging his tail. He only understands the tone of my voice. The dog cannot enter our world, and we cannot enter his.

Summary

God made man to function in a close relationship with Him. Without this relationship, man seeks other things to fill that void.

Next => Points 2-4 of question #2: How do I get to know God?

Biblical Foundations for Freedom ( BFF )

Rev. Paul J. Bucknell