Increasing Knowledge: God

The fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of knowledge, drives believers to the Bible to learn what God says. Increased knowledge of the Bible itself is important; the Bible furthermore provides knowledge in two specific areas where Christians are expected to grow. The previous post examined increasing knowledge of salvation, and this post concludes the series by looking at increasing knowledge of God.

Growing in the knowledge of God was one of Paul's primary goals for his own life. "That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death" (Philippians 3:10).

Not surprisingly, Paul also includes an increasing knowledge of God in his list of some basic expectations for believers. "So that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God" (Colossians 1:10).

Since it is so important to increase in the knowledge of God, it is also important to diligently guard against anything that would hamper that knowledge. "We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" (II Corinthians 10:5).

All the previously discussed areas of increasing knowledge really come down to the knowledge of God. The Bible is all about revealing God. "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify of Me" (John 5:39). In studying the Bible, a Christian learns more about God, thereby learning about God's salvation and about God's expectations for life.

This knowledge of God has tremendous impact on the believer. First, that knowledge helps him to grow. Knowledge of God is linked to maturity and Christ-likeness. "Until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13). It is in seeing what Christ is like that the believer knows what the goal is for his own maturity.

Second, the knowledge of God helps the believer to live. It is through the knowledge of God that a believer is prepared for every aspect of life and godliness. "Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence" (II Peter 1:3). The knowledge of God makes the provision.

Third, the knowledge of God helps the believer to face trials. As one's knowledge of God increases, he also has multiplied grace and peace to live through life's challenges. "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord" (II Peter 1:2). Grace and peace are needed at all times, but are especially welcomed during difficulties.

Job provides a prime example of this concept. Job struggled significantly through his time of testing. God's response was to reveal Himself to Job. In chapters 38-41, God revealed His power and wisdom by reviewing His role in multiple aspects of creating and sustaining the earth. As God highlighted some of His most amazing works, Job was humbled. He stated, "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees You" (Job 42:5). In other words, what Job previously knew of God was shallow in comparison to what he now knew of God. It was the increased knowledge of God that made the difference for Job.

Christians today don't experience the same type of revelation that Job did. That is, God does not speak to them audibly from heaven. Instead, God has provided all the relevant knowledge of Himself in the Bible, including everything that He told Job. If believers want the knowledge, they must search the Bible for it.

In particular, believers can be encouraged by their increasing knowledge of God's promises, His characteristics, and His names. God promises some wonderful things for His children, and He keeps every one of His promises through Christ. "For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes" (II Corinthians 1:20).

God's characteristics are also phenomenal. His qualities, which never change, make Him capable of doing anything and of doing it in the best way possible. "'To whom then will you liken Me that I would be his equal?' says the Holy One" (Isaiah 40:25).

God's multitudinous names each reveal additional knowledge of God. God revealed Himself to the patriarchs with one name, and to Moses with an additional name. "And I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name, LORD, I did not make Myself known to them" (Exodus 6:3). Each name reveals something new, and the knowledge of those names helps in life's difficulties. "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe" (Proverbs 18:10).

In knowing God well, a believer can live life and face life. Knowing God is the foundation for everything, and knowing God is accomplished through the Bible.

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Proverbs 9:10).