Don Stewart :: Why Is It Necessary to Believers Know God?

It is important that those who have believed in Jesus Christ to continue to grow in the knowledge of Him. There are several crucial reasons why this is so.

The Bible Commands It

First, the Bible commands believers to know God.

Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth (Psalm 46:10).

The Lord said to King Solomon.

And you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve him with single mind and willing heart; for the LORD searches every mind, and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will abandon you forever. (1 Chronicles 28:9)

Eternal Life Depends Upon It

The Bible defines eternal life as knowing God through the person of Jesus Christ

And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent (John 17:3)

Eternal life, according to the Bible, is entering into a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Eternal life begins the moment the relationship starts.

It Can Help Us Love God

We only can love and trust someone as much as we know them. Human beings do not fall in love with complete strangers. The prophet Jeremiah records God saying.

Thus says the LORD: Do not let the wise boast in their wisdom, do not let the mighty boast in their might, do not let the wealthy boast in their wealth; but let those who boast boast in this, that they understand and know me, that I am the LORD; I act with steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the LORD (Jeremiah 9:23,24).

The more we know about God the more we can love and obey Him.

We Experience Spiritual Growth

The more one knows God, intellectually and experientially, the more they can grow spiritually.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen (2 Peter 3:18).

The Apostle Paul wrote.

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death (Philippians 3:10).

It Helps Us To Understand Ourselves

Knowing God helps us with a better understanding of our own identity. Before we can appreciate who we are, we need to know who made us and why we are here on the earth. Therefore the more we learn about God, the more we will be able to learn about ourselves.

True Worship Can Be The Result

True worship can result from an accurate knowledge of the Lord.

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen (Romans 11:33-36).

There Is The Realization Of Judgment To Come

Knowing God results in the realization of judgment to come.

My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children (Hosea 4:6).

Summary

There are a number of benefits in knowing the one, true God. First, a person enters into an eternal relationship with the one, true God. Knowledge of God leads to spiritual growth for the believer. When one enters into a relationship with God, then true worship is possible. Finally, knowing God causes the believer to realize that a day of judgment is coming. This encourages the person to live in light of eternity.