The knowledge of God in Jesus Christ is central to our Christian
walk. We are to grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord
Jesus Christ. (II Peter 3:18) And Jesus said, “THIS is life eternal,
that they might know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ,
whom You have sent.” (John 17:3)
How do we find this Truth, or come to possess the knowledge of
God in Jesus Christ? By study? Through the intellect? By thinking?
There is nothing wrong with study, the intellect, or thinking. These
we must do, and have their proper place in our lives. But we can
NEVER come to know the Truth by reading books and getting
degrees. The knowledge of God in Jesus Christ comes only
through revelation.
Revelation is a much misunderstood issue. It is difficult for us to
grasp a concept of revelation which does not come to us through
our thinking process. After all, we reason, if it comes in any other
way, we would not even know it came, would we? If we can’t think
about it, what good does it do us? How is it real?
Revelation from God comes first to the heart. But later, as it
begins to unfold, there is a renewing of the mind according to that
Truth we have received. Then we think about it, explain it, and talk
about it. But we didn’t get the revelation that way. We EXPRESS it
and MANIFEST it that way.
Think about it this way: Suppose you were in a dark room, and
could see nothing in it. Then, all of a sudden, the lights came on.
Suppose there were objects in that room which were strange to you.
At first, you could not explain them. But later, once you examined
them, and lived in the room with them, you had a better
understanding.
It works like this spiritually with revelation. When God reveals
something to us, it is like the lights coming on. But we don’t really
grasp what is going on. We just know “something” is going on. We
know we see something new, but can’t really articulate it. Then,
as we move forward in Christ, things become more clear. We are
then able to better sort it out in our thinking, find it confirmed in the
Bible, and perhaps even explain it.
Notice that thinking and studying did not get us the revelation
from God. No, God gave it to us — because He saw that we were
ready for it. Then our minds eventually become renewed by this
Truth and we are able to express it through our living, thinking, and
teaching.
It is, of course, important to understand that all revelation which
God gives is going to harmonize with the Bible. Once we say
there is such a thing as revelation which need not agree with
scripture, we not only violate scripture itself, but we open the door
to anything people want to claim is from God.
Wise Unto Salvation
Amazingly, the Bible tells us that we cannot come to the
knowledge of God by merely studying the Bible, let alone other
books about the Bible:
Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
(II Tim. 3:7)
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and
they are they which testify of me. And you will not come to ME,
that ye might have life. (John 5:39)
These two passages put things into perspective. It shows that
all the learning in the world cannot insure that we know the TRUTH.
And it shows that it is possible to search the very written Word of
God and yet miss the boat. Jesus says, “Go ahead and search the
scriptures. They are inspired of God. But they cannot IMPART life.
For that you must come to ME.”
Lest this be misunderstood, it seems appropriate here to quote
the best scripture in the Bible which tells us the intended use of
God’s inspired Word:
From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to
make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all
good works. (II Tim. 3:15-17)
Note the main point here: The scriptures are able to make us
wise UNTO salvation — but through faith. Not — the scriptures are
able to save us! That is a big distinction. The Bible is nothing more
than God’s tool to point us to Jesus Christ as Saviour so that we
might put our faith in Him. And of course, then once we are saved,
it is wonderful for all of the other things mentioned in that passage
from Timothy.
There is a very clear difference stated here between searching
the scriptures and coming to Jesus. Did you notice that? One does
not equal the other — but one LEADS to the other. We do not come
to Christ merely by coming to the Bible. Rather, we must come to
Christ by faith — which is a personal transaction independent from
Bible study. The Bible study points us in that direction, and then
later gives us admonition and instruction about how to walk in
Christ.
Neither can the scripture, in and of themselves, impart to us the
knowledge of God. Rather, they mirror the knowledge of God. In
other words, the scriptures are a written “description” of God and
His purpose. If I do come to know God, and possess the
knowledge of God, it will parallel and agree completely with the
Bible. It MUST. But the knowledge itself isn’t just Bible facts or
Bible knowledge. It is a personal knowledge, as one person knows
another.
The Knowledge of God
Of course, here we see a need to understand what the term,
“knowledge of God” means. It does NOT mean “knowing facts
about the Christian religion.” It does NOT mean “knowing the
doctrines which Christians believe about God.” It does NOT even
mean “knowing the Bible.” “The knowledge of God” is a personal
intimate knowledge of a PERSON, not merely facts about a person.
If I told you I know George Washington, you would know that I
was incorrect. I cannot know him; he’s dead. But I can know facts
about him. It is the same about knowing God. I can know lots of
facts about God — true facts, too! But it isn’t the same as knowing
HIM. The difference between knowing facts about God, and
knowing God is the same difference as knowing facts about George
Washington and knowing George personally. The two are worlds
apart and on completely differing levels.
This is how the knowledge of God differs from knowing facts
about God. Scripture says we can KNOW Him — personally and
intimately.
As mentioned, this knowledge comes by revelation. But such
revelation to the heart is only possible if God has prepared the
heart. Our part is to yield and surrender. To be willing. That keeps
the heart God prepares OPEN. And as we walk forth in faith and
obedience, God is then able to do a work in us which will enable
our hearts to be receptive to the Truth — the Truth about Him and
about Jesus — the true knowledge of God!