p. 6 | KNOWING GOD by G.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 1, 1902

KNOWING GOD.

By G.

Human knowledge in any sphere is limited and imperfect. This is illustrated in the varied opinions of the most learned in every line, and the Lord tells us directly that “the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.” This being true concerning matters pertaining merely to this world, how about our knowledge of God? The highest attainment of knowledge is to know God. “This is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” John 17: 3.

But “God is a Spirit” (John 4: 24), and “the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Cor. 2: 14. The succeeding verse tells us that “he that is spiritual discerneth all things.” Paul tells us that “we know in part, and we prophesy in part; but when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face; now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” Ch. 13: 9–12. Further light on the subject is given us by the apostle John: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.” 1 John 3: 2.

Yet we are sometimes questioned by earnest yet puzzled souls as to how we can know God when His wisdom and knowledge are so deep, His judgments so unsearchable, and “His ways past finding out.” Rom. 11: 33. To such we would say that we have a key to what is meant by knowing God in this world of trials and seeming impossibilities. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul says: “When ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?” Ch. 4: 8, 9.

The secret of our knowing God lies in our being known of God. But does not God know everything? Is not every person known of Him?—Yes, in the sense of His understanding all creatures, of discerning their characters, He does know them, but not in the sense contemplated by the apostle in the words just quoted. He refers to God’s knowing His followers to make them fruitful. The idea is expressed in Gen. 4: 1, where it is said that “Adam knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain.” A like expression occurs also in verses 17 and 25. To be known of God is to be made fruitful through the operation of the Holy Spirit: “for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” Phil. 2: 13.

The good pleasure of God is that we bear much fruit; in this He is glorified. John 15: 8. In this same chapter Christ is represented as a vine, and His disciples as the branches. Now the fruit of a vine is always on the branches, but the branches are fructified by the vine, and can bear no fruit when disconnected from the vine. The pouring of the life-blood of the vine into the branches represents God knowing His people by the induction of His Spirit, which makes them fruitful. And “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” Gal. 5: 22, 23.

Through the apostle Peter the Spirit gives somewhat similar instruction: “Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The principle of knowing God through being known of Him is also illustrated, from the negative side, in the Sermon on the Mount. There we are shown that knowing about God, or professing to know Him, will not avail in the day of judgment, and that many will find this out when it is too late. Jesus says: “Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” Matt. 7: 22, 23.

Thus we see that there will be many iniquitous workers practising in the name of the Lord, and their works will be imitations of God’s work, insomuch that many will be deceived thereby, supposing these persons to be endued with power from on high. But while the Lord knows all about them, even from the beginning, He is not the Father of their works; they are not inspired by His Spirit. They have not submitted to His will, have not come to Him to be imbued with His life-giving, fruit-bearing Spirit. In order to know God, which is life eternal, it is essential to be known of Him, to be married “to Him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.” Rom. 7: 4. G.