THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

Notice the usage of the knowledge of God. The implications of the verse are pretty amazing. Peace, life, godliness and everything else which comes to us is multiplied in our lives only by the knowledge of God. Actually the most important lesson that a disciple has to learn is “To know God”. Therefore let us consider this subject a bit more.

WHAT IS KNOWLEDGE?

We must be careful not to stumble on our jargon, therefore let us look at what the word knowledge actually means. In the context of the bible the word knowledge is not used to mean information. “Adam knew Eve and begot Cain” Now this is way the word knowledge is used in this Scripture. The idea from the Greek word epignosis meaning full, accurate expert knowledge. I have a degree in mechanical Engineering, I have done quite a few papers on engines and automobiles but I can’t fix my own car. An experienced mechanic could identify a problem in a second. So you see biblical usage of knowledge is like that of a mechanic (deep and experienced), not theoretical (information and facts).

THEOLOGY- THE STUDY OF GOD

Now let’s consider a subject called theology. It means the study of God but we need to understand something really important here. Who can study God? A God who made the universe and everything in it, including us humans, hey…how can he be studied. With a telescope? Or a microscope? Or with our heads? No No No…an omnipotent and omniscient God can be known only by what he has chosen to reveal. So we are basically searching for what he has chosen to reveal about himself.

THE REWARD

In Genesis 15 : 1 we see God revealing himself to Abraham. He said “Abraham… I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward”. Here God did not tell Abraham that he was going to give Abraham a very good gift. He said “I am your reward”. People do you realize what he was saying! We are always searching for things. When depressed we look for joy. When angry we look for self control. When weak we look for strength and on and on and on. We are always looking for something or the other. Next day when we notice the lack again we ask again…all of us caught in this vicious cycle. We need to break free from this and realize that the object of our faith is Jesus. All things are summed up in him. The victory we are looking for is no longer a “thing”, It is a MAN. So it is with everything else. He is our reward. We are looking for him.

THE MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION- HOW DO I FIND THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD?

Hebrews chapter 1 reminds us that while in the olden days he spoke to us through the prophets, it clear to us that in these days he has spoken to us by his son. To find it we have to go to Proverbs 2:1-5 “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, And lay up my commandments with thee; So as to incline thine ear unto wisdom, And apply thy heart to understanding; Yea, if thou cry after discernment, And lift up thy voice for understanding; If thou seek her as silver, And search for her as for hid treasures: Then shalt thou understand the fear of Jehovah, And find the knowledge of God.”

Amazing! Seek it! Run after it! Not like you searching for a change of coins but with the same attitude as you would have if you lost a billion dollar cheque! Ya right where does a billion dollar compare with an iota of a knowledge of God. Knowledge that transforms life.

To conclude you might have a hundred opinions if you were asked “What is God like?”. But I want you to ask yourself “Where have I conjured up these ideas?”. Have things around you influenced it or do you derive it out of what you see in Jesus and what is written in the word. A lot of puking ideas have come up because we have not stopped to listen what God has to say. God is too big for you to figure him out! So turn to what he has revealed about him. Apply understanding and seek and cry after him will all your hearts! Then you will understand the fear of the Lord and this births the knowledge of Him (Prov 1:7).