Knowing God: 2 Cautions

Packer offers what I believe are two essential challenges to knowing God.  At first blush, one could read these and think, "Yeah, what a shame that some other people are dealing with that issue..." but we must be cautious and examine our own lives before we look to anyone else. 

The first challenge is to realize that there is a difference between knowing ABOUT God and truly knowing Him.  I certainly know a lot about Rickey Henderson, my favorite baseball player from when I was young, but I would never say I know him.  Likewise, the Bible tells us in James that event the demons believe in God, and they shudder, but they still don't do the things God asks of His creatures. James even subtly implies that at least the demons have enough sense to shudder - we often don't even do that.

The second challenge is to realize that knowing about godliness and knowing God are different. We can know how to act, but knowing God will change how we act, for He changes who we are.

The other day I shared one of the challenges I face in my walk with God - I love to serve Him, but I want to serve Him because I love Him.  To know Him and let that be the core of my life and service - this is my desire.

- tC

A New Series: Knowing God

If you have been around any Christian bookstores in your life, you'll probably recognize this book as a classic.  Knowing God by J.I. Packer is one of the most well-known devotional/spiritual formation books in publication.  It was originally written in 1973 and while the times have changed, much of the content doesn't need to.  So over the next few weeks, I am going to be reading it and offering some reflections on what strikes me the most.

 

So far, I am just part way into Chapter 1, but already I was struck by this one fact: Packer says that those who know God pray with great frequency and fervency.  I believe this to be true and whenever I am in seasons of quiteness with God, I often find I am not making time for prayer.  So if Packer is correct I ask you - is your prayer life marked by passion?  If so, he'd say you are likely to know God and not just know about Him.

- tC