How We Know God

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Feb 1, 1905

To know God is eternal life, says the Saviour (John 17:3), and of old it had been said, "Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace; thereby good shall come unto thee." Job 22:21. How, then, shall we know Him, when His ways are so much higher than ours, and His thoughts higher than ours (Isa. 55:9)?—James gives us the key: "Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you." But how can we draw nigh to One so far away?—Again the apostle tells us how: "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord [get lower in your own estimation], and He shall lift you up." Jesus Christ is the "way" (John 14:6), and "He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them," Heb. 7:25.

Now let us note these simple tests, and all will be, or ought to be, plain: "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death." 1 John 3:14. "And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth His Word, in him verily is the love of God perfected; hereby know we that we are in Him. He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked" (chapter 2:3-6); and He kept His Father's commandments (John 15:10).