Do we know God?

[arunangelo]

Salvation is to know God (John 17:3). Most people know something about God. However, since God is infinite, it is probably difficult for finite beings like us to fully understand who God is. Yet, because God became one of us in the person of Jesus we can know Him fairly well. To know God, is not to know about him (because even the devil knows about him), but to have an intimate friendship with him (John 15:15). This means that our spirit is in unison with His spirit; His feelings are our feelings, his compassion is our compassion, his humility is our humility and his sacrifice is our sacrifice. In other words we must live his life (1 John2:6). We will then offer the other cheek if slapped one; if someone take away our coat, we will give our shirt as well (Matthew 5:38-42); heal those who betray and hurt us by sacrificing our own life (Isaiah 53: 5 &7); be faithful to our marriage vows even when there is betrayal, hurt and infidelity (Hosea 3:1); forgive unconditionally (Matthew 18:22); and help others, without any string attached.

 

[Elijah674]

Do 'we' know God? If that was the case, why do we find these words of warning directed at us.... Matt. 25 with His message to us.
[1] Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
[2] And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

And surely this is a parable for just the saved of the universe. (not these others from Babylon)

And these others? Christ God has them ALL lumped together into ONE group seen in Rev. 17:5
[5] And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND [[ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.]]

Sure before this time comes around, some few have left her as seen in Rev. 18:4's fatal decision is made. Rev. 18:4 has it said this way...

[1] And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
[2] And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, [Babylon the great is fallen,] is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
[3] For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

[4] And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

And if that is not enough?? Then Christ's earlier warning surely can be believed from Matt. 7. Matt. 7's fatal warnings are directed to these ones of 'perhaps' found in Heb. 6:1-6? (no way back!) Heb. 6 1-6
[3] And this will we do, if God permit.
[4] For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
[5] And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
[6] If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

And 'i' will maintain that these are the biggest of the number that Christ God could teach His truth!

--Elijah

 

[John 8:32]

Hmmm,

1Jn 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
1Jn 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

 

[thekingdomisathand]

The statement above is the truth of the matter. You may only claim to know God is you are obedient to Him. That means putting away traditions to follow Him, putting away self, ignoring your own desires, and accepting everything He says like a child "Yes, sir!".

Only then will a man or woman understand God. EVERYONE who says they know God and does not obey is a LIAR.

 

[Eugene]

EVERYONE who says they know God and does not obey is a LIAR.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Psalms 116:11 . . All men are liars.

Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

Looks pretty bad for man doesn't it?

 

[Sinthesis]

Left only to man it's hopeless.

Rev 21:8 - But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
​

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Godly love is how we show that we know God, or more importantly, that he knows us:

"...we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. 2 If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know; 3 but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him." (1 Corinthians 8:1-3 NASB)

"...you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God" (Galatians 4:9 NASB)

Too many of us think knowledge is how we show we know God, and we are deceived and get led astray. But it is acting like God that shows we know God and he knows us.

 

[Douvie]

We only know God by what He has revealed to us.

Joh 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
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and in the following by what Christ has declared to us:

Joh 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
​

And John the Baptist says:

Joh 1:31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
​

Only by knowing Christ (trusting, believing) that we can know a little of God.

 

[John 8:32]

EVERYONE who says they know God and does not obey is a LIAR.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Psalms 116:11 . . All men are liars.

Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

Looks pretty bad for man doesn't it?

Now let's apply a favorite of the antinomians here...

Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Rom 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
Rom 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

And the sense of it is that we are no longer under the penalty of the law. No longer subject to it's punitive power because we are forgiven by the grace which comes from Christ. The real question is, to whom does He give that grace? Just anybody, or to those who obey Him...

Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

 

[John 8:32]

We only know God by what He has revealed to us.

Joh 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
​

and in the following by what Christ has declared to us:

Joh 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
​

And John the Baptist says:

Joh 1:31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
​

Only by knowing Christ (trusting, believing) that we can know a little of God.

You mean this guy?

Mat 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

 

[Eugene]

keep the commandments.

Do you know anyone that keeps that "Ministration of death, written and engraven in stones (2 Corinthians 3:7), or am I misunderstanding you? You do realize the question asked was what should he do instead of Christ so that he could inherit eternal life?

Matthew 19:16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? What? What good could any not in Christ ever do?

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

 

[Elijah674]

'i' will maintain that [up until] the End of time, God will have a Truth that will gather in all who are faith full! Surely the WORD is faithful. Before this time of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Rev. 14:6-10) is still working & we will see this happen!

So no way can we know for sure what is in another's heart. (growth/wise) We might even find the word spoken of Paul in Rom. 2:14-15 with quality if understood?

Rom. 2
[14] For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
[15] Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

Surely most do not understand Paul's words, yet these ones died living the FAITH that the Holy Spirit had given to them! (did they know Christ as we do?) No, but where is His Royal Law to be found!;)

So we can find (law/breakers) not 'yet' knowing that they are 'law' breakers! See 1 John 5:16-17
And these are the ones that Rev. 18:4 are trying to reach! And there is still time.

--Elijah

 

[John 8:32]

keep the commandments.

Do you know anyone that keeps that "Ministration of death, written and engraven in stones (2 Corinthians 3:7), or am I misunderstanding you? You do realize the question asked was what should he do instead of Christ so that he could inherit eternal life?

Matthew 19:16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? What? What good could any not in Christ ever do?

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

You don't keep the Ten Commandments? You lie? You steal? Commit adultery? Take God's name in vain?

 

[Elijah674]

EVERYONE who says they know God and does not obey is a LIAR.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Psalms 116:11 . . All men are liars.

Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

Looks pretty bad for man doesn't it?

Hey surely you know that the only thing one can do is to 'take a stand for Christ!' (these all died 'in' the FAITH & compare ibid 11:1-2)

We all grow differently! But grow we MUST DO! (See Dan. 3:14-19) These 3 were fully mature for our goal to reach!

And we are told that there are sin's to overcome in 1 John 5:16-17. But we are to press FORWARD!

--Elijah

 

[Eugene]

Rom. 2
[14] For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
[15] Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another

The context of these verses in Romans is judgment. It begins with the immoral man, the moral man, the religious, and ends with Romans 3:23. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

And then scripture gives us the way of righteousness in Romans 3:24. "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

Blessings in Christ Jesus, and that's exactly where they come from.

 

[smaller]

Not long after coming to know God in Christ aka the 'born again' experience I discovered my 'personal relationship' with God was largely a concoction in my own head pretending it was God.

Colossians 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Afterward I learned to appreciate what has already been provided for understandings, in His Word.

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