Before God created the heavens and the earth, nothing existed except God. At the appointed time, God spoke into existence all the things that previously never existed. “By the Word of the Lord were the heavens made and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.” (Psalm 33:6). The creation included angels and humans whom God wanted to experience His love, goodness, power, and wisdom. Before the fall, Adam and Eve and the angels in their sinless state were still limited in how much they could know God because God is infinite and angels and humans are finite. There will always be a great gulf between God, the eternal, glorious, all-knowing Creator whose judgments are unsearchable and whose ways are past finding out, and the creatures God made. Only God can fully know God (1 Corinthians 2:11).
The Bible reveals that nobody has an excuse for not knowing God. Looking at the things God created and the works of the law written in the heart enables every person to know God’s eternal power and divine nature (Romans 1:18-20; 2:15). But there is an even greater knowledge of God that comes not by observation but by faith. In the Word of God, God reveals that He is holy, righteous, compassionate, loving, and merciful toward lost sinners. The Scriptures declare that God’s love was demonstrated at the cross where Jesus died for sinners (Romans 5:8). Whoever believes that Jesus is Lord and paid for his sins, and rose from the dead on the third day will be saved (Romans 10:9). The sinner who believes in Jesus immediately knows God in a personal, saving relationship. That is the true knowledge of God but it is only the beginning. God wants every believer to know Him better and better so He tells His children, “You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13). God gave us His Word so we can learn more about His greatness and love and promises. Whoever studies the Bible and sits under the sound preaching of God’s Word will grow in grace and the knowledge of God.
Before God saves a sinner, the sinner cannot receive the truths of Scripture; they are foolishness to him and he has no capacity to know God (1 Corinthians 2:14). But when the Holy Spirit regenerates the heart, the sinner is made alive and can believe in Jesus for salvation. No unbeliever can see, hear, or believe God’s truth but when God calls a person out of his dead condition and gives him life, the Lord of glory opens the eyes, ears, and heart to understand His truth. It is a miracle of grace to be chosen by God to know Him, believe in Him, be given a righteous standing before Him, and be granted the capacity to understand God’s Word and grow in the knowledge of Christ.
If you know God savingly, praise Him and bless His name. As Christians, we are only “scratching the surface” of knowing God. There is so much more to learn of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and the exceeding riches of His grace. Throughout eternity, we will continue to learn of God’s glorious person and the depth of His eternal and immutable love for us.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Dennis
