Listen:  136.3

This is not only an excellent question; it’s also an extremely important question! The purpose for which we were created will not be known until we come to “know God” AND our eternal destiny depends on “knowing God” as well. The word “know” means “to come to know, recognize and understand” and it also “indicates a relation between the person knowing and the object known.” So, until we come to know God, we are NOT in a relationship with Him. But we shall see that God desires us to know Him and to become His children, and He has provided everything necessary for this to happen.

God has given mankind the opportunity to “know Him” THROUGH THE LIGHT OF CREATION. Paul wrote the following words in Romans 1:19-20, “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them, for God hath shewed it unto them. For 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; so that they are without excuse.” Let’s also read Psalm 19:1 which reads “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handywork.” All men should be able to “know God” through His creation! Creation declares His glory and reveals His marvelous power and it is only unbelief that causes a man or woman to reject this testimony. Instead of bowing to the light of creation and owning God as the Creator, men have invented their own gods from their own imaginations and sinful hearts. You may recall that scene in Athens, Greece when the Apostle Paul stood on Mars’ hill beholding numerous altars to their false gods. In Acts 17:23 we read these words, “For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, Him I declare unto you.” Paul used that inscription as his text and went on to teach them the truth in verse 24 that there is only one “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing He is the Lord of heaven and earth…” Paul wanted them to “know God” as the one and only Creator of all things!

God has given us the ability to “know Him” THROUGH HIS SON. The Lord Jesus referred to this truth in Matthew 11:27, “All things are delivered unto Me of My Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and He to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him.” One of the main purposes the Son of God became a Man and walked among men was to reveal God to men. John 1:18 tells us “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him.” It was Jesus’ passion, from the manger to the cross, to reveal His Father to mankind, so that men might “know God.” As wonderful as the LIGHT OF CREATION was, revealing God’s awesome power and divinity, it took the incarnation of the Son of God to reveal His Father and the very nature of God to men. Scripture tells us in 1 John 4:8 that “God is love” and in 1 John 1:5 that “God is light,” and this was revealed in perfection through the life of the Lord Jesus Christ.

If men’s hearts were opened to receive this truth, they came to “know God” as their heavenly Father.  God gives to every believer the capacity to “know Him” THROUGH THE GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE. Consider these precious words from John 17:2-3,”As Thou hast given Him power over all, flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him. And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, Whom Thou hast sent.” After coming to “know God” as our Creator through creation, and as our Father through His beloved Son, we are given the gift of eternal life in order to continue gaining knowledge of God the Father and His Son. All who are born-again have the very nature of God and this fits them for fellowship with the Father and the Son. God’s desire from the very beginning was to have fellowship with mankind, but sin came in and disrupted that fellowship. Through Christ’s atoning work at the cross He has bridged the gap between God and sinners and the repentant and believing sinner is given eternal life to restore the fellowship that was lost through sin.

What an unspeakable blessing this is, to have fellowship with Divine Persons! Let’s muse on the words of the Apostle John in 1 John 1:3, “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.” As we enjoy this intimate fellowship with our heavenly Father and His only begotten Son, our knowledge of God will increase. And yet, we will NEVER come to the point where we “know God” completely. Through the endless ages of eternity it will be our portion to learn more and more of Him, but we’ll never reach the end of knowing the Infinite God!  (136.3)  (DO)