know...how?

I began writing a post last Wednesday after meeting with my band of brothers, but quickly abdicated it due to writer's block. This afternoon the haze lifted after receiving an email from a close friend. The topic of both occurrences centered around knowing God. My band of brothers wanted to know God better in order to understand more of what He says in His Word while my friend wanted to know God in order to become more intimately in love with Him. Both are very God-honoring requests which bring us back to the question, "how do we know God?"

The Bible unfolds a two-part answer to the question: Christ and the Word (but aren't they synonymous?). Yes, the two are in fact one (John 1:1). But even in saying that there is much to unpack. Jesus Christ is the place to start if we want to know God. Why? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father...Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. (John 14:9, 11). Jesus emphatically declared Himself to be one with the Father again and again throughout His earthly ministry. He is where we see the fullest extent of the Father's humility, grace, love, mercy, compassion, wrath, jealousy, glory, holiness, sovereignty, provision (to name a few), and much more to be revealed when He comes again.

Suddenly the question changes to "how can we know Christ?" Unfortunately a lot of people will tell us in order to know Christ fully we must walk in His shoes. While walking in the footsteps is great, it only leaves us with ability to know Christ as our perfect example of how to live this life. A perfect example is not enough for salvation. What we need is atonement before we can even start to dream about living. Thankfully, the Word has been given to us to reveal the Christ who is our atonement which enables us to follow His example. The Bible is where we find all that we need to know about Jesus Christ. You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me. (John 5:39). Genesis through Revelation reveal Jesus Christ. We learn who He is, why He came, what He did, what He is doing, and much more as we work through the pages of the Word of God.

Once again the question morphs; "why do I read the Word of God?" For most of my college career, I read in order to gain biblical knowledge and apply. I mean, isn't application the goal behind reading? Don't I want to see the ways in which God's Word can shape my life (1 Timothy 3:16)? No and yes, respectively. The Bible does have the power to shape and change, but only because it is the very word of the only, true God. The words change us because of the One behind them. Therefore, we should approach the Bible with the intent of learning all we can about our God, first and foremost, and experiencing the truths of what He reveals in our lives. We should want to know Him! The application comes as we know Him more intimately, and then desire to become more like Him. He is faithful to show us Himself if we ask Him to each time we delve into His Word. Living in His presence will show us more than we need to see about ourselves. Our response will be a cry for mercy and the fruits of living for the known God.