Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” (1 John 2:3-4 NKJV)
What are the true tests of knowing God intimately? Obedience to God and Agape love for people! The first true test of knowing God is ‘the obedience test’. If you claim to know God and do not obey what God says or commands in the Bible; you are a liar. Walking in total obedience to God’s word, abiding in Christ’s teaching or conforming your life to Christ’s teaching is the primary evidence of knowing God intimately. Your knowledge of God is revealed in your obedience to God’s word. It is a lifestyle of prompt and perfect obedience to God that shows that a man truly knows God. The man who truly knows God is not the man who speaks eloquently and passionately about God, prays fervently and frequently to God, gives generously to God or receives mighty miracles from God, but rather the man who promptly and perfectly obeys whatever God says or commands. While it is very good to study and teach God’s word and pray and receive answers to your prayers, yet these are no true tests of knowing God intimately. The true test of knowing God is obeying or keeping God’s commandments.
The second test of knowing God is ‘the love test’. Love is essentially God’s nature; it is an expression of God’s life. God’s love is divine, pure, perfect, constant, unselfish, undeserving and everlasting. The highest and ultimate expression of God’s love to mankind is revealed on the cross where Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, willingly offered Himself as a propitiation for our sins. A believer who truly knows God is known by His love for God and the people. Sadly, many believers today claim or boast about knowing God intimately, but harbour bitterness, hatred, malice, unforgiveness or evil thoughts against their spouse, neighbours, colleagues, relations or classmates. What a contradiction! Enough of deceiving yourself and others; you cannot truly know God and yet continue to walk in disobedience to God’s word and live in hatred. True experiential or revelation knowledge of God is revealed in your conduct, lifestyle and relationship with people. The deeper you know God intimately, the faster you will obey whatever He commands you to do and the deeper you will love the people God loves.
My Dear Heavenly Father, deliver me from every distraction and help me to press on to know you more and more, in Jesus’ name. Amen
Liberation thought: I live for God
Further reading: Gen 22
Prayer:
Oh God deliver me from every distraction and help me to press on in the things of the Kingdom more and more in Jesus name
I receive the grace and understanding to obey instruction given by God, to love Him and conduct my affairs for the betterment of my neighbours in Jesus name
Amen! Deliver me from every distraction father god.