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How to Know God

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There is nothing in the world that is worth knowing more than God Himself and His mercy toward sinners. The following is taken from the Blue Letter Bible website.

Did you know that God has offered forgiveness for your sins and assurance of eternal life through faith in His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ?

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” – John 3:16-18, NKJV

“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” – John 17:3, NKJV

You may be asking yourself: “How can I know God?” Man is able to know the true and living God through the truth of His Word, that is, the Bible. The Bible reveals God’s character and His plan for mankind. It is through reading His Word that we come to a knowledge of the righteousness of God and that which He requires of us.

What is it that prevents us from personally knowing God? Our sin has separated us from God – our corruption is to such a degree that we cannot know Him personally and cannot experience His love. God’s Word says,

“…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” – Romans 3:23, NKJV

Man was created to enjoy fellowship with God, but because of his sin (i.e., anything that is against the righteousness revealed in God’s Law) he is prevented from that fellowship. This includes anything less than perfect obedience to God’s commands.

“For the wages of sin is death…” – Romans 6:23a, NKJV

The ultimate result of this death is an eternity in Hell (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10). This spiritual death forces a separation from God. Man is sinful and God is holy. This creates a gulf unbridgeable by man making that intended fellowship impossible.

“…but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23b, NKJV

God’s eternal plan was to send His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross and take on our punishment (Romans 5:8; Galatians 4:4; 1 John 4:10). He knew no sin and yet became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21). He died in our place. This removed our burden of sin and allowed us to enter into that desired fellowship through faith in Jesus Christ, and Him alone (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).

It is not just enough that you know these truths. We must individually place our trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. This means repenting of our sins and believing in Jesus Christ as God’s Son who came to earth as a human to die for our sins so that we might have everlasting life with Him. Placing our trust in Jesus requires faith, which is a hope‐filled belief in Jesus even though we don’t see Him face to face (John 20:29; Hebrews 11:1). And salvation is by faith alone, not by any works we could do to please God (John 6:28-29).

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:8-10, NKJV

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” – John 1:12, NKJV

Those who place their trust in Jesus become God’s children; and as heirs to heaven are promised the eternal pleasure of glorifying God (Rom. 8:16-17; Gal. 3:29). As our life here on earth progresses, God will continue to work in our hearts, daily changing and conforming us into the image of Christ, Himself (1 John 3:2). We will begin to live lives of righteousness. Obedience to God will not be a burden to us, but rather a joy.

The invitation to place your trust in Jesus Christ by faith is open to all. Friend, if you are not a child of God, we pray that today would be the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).

“…if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” – Romans 10:9-10, NKJV

If you have placed your trust in Jesus Christ by faith, you may be wondering “What next?” Our greatest recommendation for believers, new and old, is fourfold: 1) locate a Bible‐based church that soundly preaches the Word and rejoice in the fellowship of other Christians, 2) study the Bible for that is where we learn of the greatness of God and His plans, 3) pray to God, asking Him to strengthen your faith and increase your love toward Him, and 4) enjoy the blessings given by God in the heavenly ordained sacraments: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. All of these are meant to encourage and build up your faith as well as the faith of those around you.

If you have any questions, search the Scriptures, ask your Pastor, or please feel free to ask us. If you would like some guidance in locating a Bible‐based church, even in other parts of the world, we’d be privileged to help in any way possible.

Comments

    • It is my humble suggestion that we should study
      this theme alongside Mat.7:23; 1Cor.9:27. What do you think?
      Grace be with you all.
      Poor and needy one,
      mathew

  2. Acts 5:29
    Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said
    We ought to obey GOD rather than men

    Acts 5:19&20
    But the angel of the LORD by night opened the prison doors and brought them forth and said
    (20)Go stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life

    Matthew 12:36&37
    But I say unto you that every idle word that men shall speak they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement
    (37) For by thy words thou shalt be JUSTIFIED and by thy words thou shalt be condemned

    James2:24
    You see then how that by works a man is JUSTIFIED and not by faith only

    Proverbs 18:21
    Death and life are in the power of the tongue and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof

    Hebrews 6:1
    Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of CHRIST let us go on unto perfection
    not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works
    and of faith toward GOD

    Luke 8:21
    And HE answered and said unto them MY mother and MY brethren are these who hear the word of GOD and do it

    James 1:21&22
    Wherefore lay apart all filthiness of naughtiness and receive with meekness the engrafted word which is able to save your souls
    (22) But be you doers of the word and not hearers only DECEIVING your own selves

    James1:23&24
    For if any be a hearer of the word and not a doer he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass
    (24) For he beholdeth himself and goeth his way and straightway
    forgetteth what manner of man he was

    James 1:25
    Bur whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty and CONTINUETH there in
    he being not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the WORK
    this man shall be blessed indeed

    Colossians 1:22&23
    In the body of his flesh through death
    to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in HIS sight
    (23) IF YOU CONTINUE in the faith grounded and settled and be not moved from the hope of the gospel
    Which you have heard and which was preached to every creature
    which is under heaven
    whereof I Paul am made a minister

    John 15:9&10
    As the FATHER hath loved ME so have I loved you CONTINUE in MY love
    (10) IF YOU KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS you shall abide in MY love
    even as I have kept MY FATHERS commandments and abide in HIS love

    John 8:31
    Then said JESUS to those Jews which believed on HIM
    IF YOU CONTINUE in MY word then are you MY disciples indeed

    1 Timothy 4:16
    Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine CONTINUE IN THEM
    for in doing this thou shalt both save yourself and them that hear thee

    1 Timothy 2:15
    Not withstanding she shall be saved in child bearing
    IF THEY CONTINUE in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety

    Matthew 10:22
    And you shall be hated of all men for MY names sake
    But he that ENDURETH to the end shall be saved

    Romans 11:22
    Behold therefore the goodness and severity of GOD
    on them which fell severity
    but towards thee goodness
    IF THOU CONTINUE in his goodness
    otherwise thou also shall be cut off

    Romans 2:6&7
    Who will render to every man according to his deeds
    (7) to them who by patient CONTINUANCE in well doing
    seek for glory and honor and immortality
    ETERNAL LIFE

    Romans 2:8
    But unto them that are contentious and do not obey the truth but obey unrighteousness
    indignation and wrath

    LOVING THE LORD

    • Great verses, Steve. The soul re-born from above (saved, forgiven, indwelt, baptized, and sealed by the Holy Spirit, whose sins are all forgiven forever, who now has the “never to be removed” righteousness of Christ (Isaiah 61:10), who was dead in sins but is now forever alive in Jesus…this soul “will continue” He or she “will persevere” and in a true sense, “will be pesevered” by the Holy Spirit living within him or her.Philippians 1:6 is our great confirmation of this: “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Blessings, brother!Thank God our salvation is secure in Christ.

    • Thank you Lord! Now salvation IS AS NEAR AS OUR OWN HEARTS AND MOUTHS.Rom.10:8 TLB. Yet it is an IFFY stuff as Bro. Steve labours to tell us!
      Thanks BLB for the phrase” soundly preach “.
      In this regard, i am reminded of the lofty, crystal clear Manasarovar, from where the river Ganges rises.
      If we have the fear of God and the correct concept of God, everything that flows, follows will be SOUND indeed. Sound Doctrine, Sound Faith, Sound Mind, Sound Heart, Sound Words, Sound Speech…..
      Our God is like the Manasarovar. High. Holy. Lifted up.
      But suppose, say China, the enemy dumps all the toxic waste into the holy Manasarovar, the ‘holy’ Ganges and the whole of India will become corrupt, polluted.
      Thankfully,
      THE CORRECTION FOR CORRUPTION IS IN THE HOLY SCRIPTURES & THE HOLY ONE.
      Isa.53:5; 2Cor.2:17; 2Tim.3:16.
      Thank you Lord for the provision within easy access, even for our daily salvation from the snares of physical and spiritual death, disease, accidents…We live because you live. It is a humbling thought(Ps.92:6). I am small, yet you consider me. Amen.
      Grace be with you all.
      Poor and needy one,
      mathew

  3. BLB Staff, what a beautifully written, concise presentation of the Gospel and how we might be saved. I thank God that He called me first, otherwise I would not be writing here today. Saved by grace through faith! And my faith continues to grow. Wow!

    Hey, there is sunshine over Portland, Oregon today! yahooo!

    Debi

    • Sister, Pl. check your Yahoo Mail & Yahweh Mail!!May the Sun of Righteousness shine with healing in his wings. So go forth & grow up.Mal.4:2; Rom.13:11. Amen.
      Grace be with you all..
      Poor and needy one,
      mathew

  4. Good post. If I may add verses to the great ones contained within the article and posts the ones that strike me the most in truly knowing God I would consider Philipians 4:8. This keeps our minds out of the gutter. As trust is a huge component Matthew 6:24-35 is one I continually rely on. Are you still alive and provided for? My last imput would be Ephhesians 6:10-18. We are in a battle that we do not see most of the time. There are many others and yes if we don’t study the scriptures without a prayerful attitude we are doing so in vain. 500 billion blessings to all…Rix Mohay

  6. The State of Virginia thanks you for this wonderful post on salvation. I gave my life to Christ in 2003 and I immediately noticed how happier and fulfilled my life became. Even my attitude towards people changed, I became more friendlier. It really is true when the scripture say:
    Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

    I still had problems, as everyone does, but I had a sense of peace knowing that God is on my side. I can’t image my life without Christ.
    Bless the Lord
    Tracy