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Introduction

It is good to have the knowledge of God. It is good because it proceeds from God the Omniscience. The one who knows and declares the end from the beginning, and from the ancient times the things that have not been done. He says that His counsel shall not fail but stand and that He shall do all his pleasure (Isa 46:10). Paul calls the knowledge of God “the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Eph 3:8).

The Nature of the Knowledge of God

As has been detailed in the introductory section above, the knowledge of God is what we know about God as revealed through Jesus Christ. God´s knowledge is rich and incomprehensible. This is affirmed in the scripture that contends that:

“And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD: and they did eat throughout the feast seven days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to the LORD God of their fathers” (2Ch 30:22).

Levites were supposed to teach the knowledge of God. The knowledge of God, therefore, refers to the word of God. The word of God is referred to as “glad tidings” (Luk 1:19, Luk 8:1, Acts 13:32, Rom 10:15) or good news. The knowledge of God is good news because it brings salvation to man. Isaiah, in writing of this, exclaims: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good tidings, making peace heard; who brings good news, making salvation heard; who says to Zion, Your God reigns!” (Isa 52:7).

In fact, man´s knowledge of God is tainted so we do not know all about Him. What is necessary for our salvation is that which has been revealed to us. Thus, the Knowledge of God in His Son is eternal life (Joh 17:3). The limited knowledge of man about God has been explained by Paul in one of his epistles, where he indicates that “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall fully know even as I also am fully known” (1Co 13:12). In this present world, we see God dimly but we shall have a fuller knowledge of God when we enter into the eschatological world. Whereas man has a limited knowledge of himself and of God, God´s knowledge about everything is absolute and perfect. No one can have the knowledge of God unless He reveals Himself to him/her through His revealed word or His Spirit. God says that He will give His people a heart to know that He is Jehovah and that they are His people (Jer 24:7).

Benefits of the Knowledge of God

All scripture, being the revealed knowledge of God, is given by inspiration of God and it is good for doctrine, for reproof, for correcting people, and instructs man to live right with the intent that the man of God may be perfect, completely prepared for all good works (2Ti 3:16-17). David also, writing about the knowledge of God, convincingly declares that:

“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in the keeping of them there is a great reward (Psa 19:7-11).

Conclusion

The knowledge of God is to be sought after. It is deep, rich, perfect, and it brings salvation to those who have it. It is worthwhile to spend time in the presence of God to acquire His divine knowledge.

Prayer: Lord God, we ask that you lead us to discover and rediscover your knowledge, and give us the power to live by it. In the name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

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.