Getting to Know God

1 John 2:3

And herby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

We hear much about the importance of getting to know God, and there is no doubt it is critical that we do get to know Him. However, how this present generation talks about getting to know God is so superficial. This generation thinks that we get to know Him by having discipleship classes, which is nothing more than sitting and doing nothing. Don't get me wrong, I believe it is important to be taught God's Word; however, you don't get to know God by sitting and doing nothing, but you get to know God through obedience, service, and hardships. Let’s talk about this.

First, we get to know God by keeping His commandments. Notice what the verse above says, And herby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. The more you obey God, the more you get to know Him personally. Now, you cannot keep God's commandments if you don't know what they are, and that is why you must read God's Word daily so you can learn the commandments that you are to obey. The more you obey God, the closer you become to God. Notice what James 4:8 says, Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. How is it that I draw nigh to God? I draw nigh to Him by obeying His commandments. You will never get to know God if you're not obedient to Him.

Second, you get to know God in the yoke of service. Matthew 11:29 says, Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;…. The yoke is where work is accomplished. The more you serve God, the more you get to know Him. You cannot tell me you are close to God when you are sitting and not doing anything in your church ministries. You always get to know people better when you work with them, and this also applies to your Christian walk. You will never get to know God well until you get in the yoke and serve Him. The more you serve God, the more you will get to know him intimately.

Third, you get to know God through suffering. Philippians 3:10 teaches, That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; The more you find suffering in your life, the closer you will get to God. This is one of the most uncomfortable parts of the Scriptures that many do not like, but you cannot get close to God without suffering. Suffering shows you a side of God that you will never get to see in a life of ease. We don't like the trials we face, but those trials are sent our way so we can know God intimately. Look in the Scriptures, and see those who went through suffering and how close they got to God. John got close to God when he was exiled on the Isle of Patmos. Job got to know God through the great suffering that he endured. Suffering always has a way of bringing you closer to God. Suffering allows you to know the grace of God, the comfort of God, and the care of God that you cannot learn about without hard times.

My friend, do you really want to know God? If you want to know Him, start by obeying Him, then get in the yoke with God and start serving with Him. Once you start serving with God in his yoke, you will find suffering will come, not because God wants to hurt you, but because He wants you to get to know Him better. Those who go through the greatest trials and still obey and serve God will get the closest to God.