The Knowledge of God

Introduction

This piece of writing discusses the concept of the “Knowledge of God” from the Biblical perspective. It answers the question “What is the knowledge of God?” The paper does not claim to address this concept comprehensively but it seeks to highlight the concept in a brief and concise manner. The definition of knowledge in this paper is consistent with that described in the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, that, Knowledge is the mind´s apprehension of some fact or truth in accordance with its real nature, and that in a personal relation, the intellectual act is necessarily linked with the element of affection and will.

Lack of the Knowledge of God

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shall be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children” (Hos 4:6).

The knowledge of God is a very important thing to God as far as salvation of souls is concerned. God affirms this by saying that He desires mercy, and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings (Hos 6:6). Though lack of secular knowledge may rob people of some rights and privileges, it must be understood that Hosea does not refer to the lack of scientific or any secular knowledge but the knowledge of God. It is the only knowledge the lack of which leads to the destruction of souls. God has warned that since His people have rejected the knowledge of God they would also be rejected by Him. It is evident in Rom 1:28 that “and even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient” (Rom 1:28). Those who fear God have the knowledge of Him.

According to Paul, it is a shame for believers not to have the knowledge of God (1Co 15:34). If any fears the Lord God, and desires to have the knowledge of God, s/he would receive it along with the joy of the Lord (Eccl 2:26). Those who understand the fear of the Lord finds this knowledge (Pro 2:5). The knowledge of God is spiritually discerned (1Co 2:14) so a person needs to be aligned with God to receive and understand it.

Receiving the Knowledge of God

The knowledge of God is not about opinions about Him but a deeper revelation of God through His Word and Spirit. It ought to be stated that every revelation so received should not negate the authentic knowledge of God but should be in the knowledge of Christ (Eph 1:17). It requires the grace of God to receive this knowledge. Thus, a man freely ought to open up his/her heart for Him to come in. It is understood that “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2Co 4:6). God must first shine in our hearts to enlighten our spirits to willingly accept His knowledge. Believers must individually receive this knowledge of God and be certain about it to be saved.

Growing in the knowledge of Christ

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia states emphatically that the mind is constituted with the capacity for knowledge, and the desire to possess the knowledge and increase it. This supports the scriptures that admonish believers to walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing and be fruitful in every good work, as they increase in the knowledge of God (Col 1:10). The purpose of the spiritual gifts is to enhance the growth of believers so that they all come to the unity of the faith and increase in the knowledge of the Son of God, till they reach perfection, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Eph 4:13). This means that increasing the knowledge of God should make us conform more and more unto the image of Jesus Christ, the Lord.

Conclusion

The Spirit of God enlightens our hearts to give us the revelational knowledge of God and to conscientiously grow in this knowledge until we have reached the full stature of Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Thank you, Father. We ask that you enlighten us with your light, and help us to grow steadily in your knowledge until we conform to the image of Jesus Christ, your Son. Amen.