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