Do you know God? Week 26, 2015

I mean this question seriously because it is important. Jn 17:3(CEV) says “Eternal life is to know you, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ, the one you sent”. You might feel that you do, given your dedication to church. If you conclude that because you were born into a god-fearing family, was dedicated to God very early in life, serve in the Holy Communion that you certainly do. Are you not like Samuel was? Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD and had not yet had the word of the LORD revealed to him 1Sam 3:7(ISV).  Wait a minute. Samuel? Did not know God yet? Samuel that was conceived and born of godly parents in answer to earnest prayer; brought and kept in the sanctuary from the time he was weaned from milk, serving in the holy place under the direction of the high priest, sleeping in the house of God near the very Ark of Testimony did not yet know God? This is the same terminology used for Hophni and Phinehas who were corrupt and sexually immoral. Now the sons of Eli were worthless men who did not know the LORD1Sam 2:12(ISV). Do you know God?

How then do we know God? No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him Mat 11:27(GNB).  Knowing God has to do with revelation - revelation that comes through Jesus Christ; God revealing Himself to you and you responding like Samuel by offering yourself His servant. Now Jesus definitely wants to reveal God to you. How do I know? Because He personally invites you to come. Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest Mat 11:28-29 (GNB)  . Have you come to Jesus specifically to do this for you?

For Paul to know Jesus he counted all these accomplishments as rubbish. These accomplishments we often brandish: his religious zeal, the religious ceremonies, and his careful obedience to the letter of the law. Listen to him: We do not put any trust in external ceremonies. I could, of course, put my trust in such things. If any of you think you can trust in external ceremonies, I have even more reason to feel that way. I was circumcised when I was a week old. I am an Israelite by birth, of the tribe of Benjamin, a pure-blooded Hebrew. As far as keeping the Jewish Law is concerned, I was a Pharisee, and I was so zealous that I persecuted the church. As far as a person can be righteous by obeying the commands of the Law, I was without fault Phlp 3:3-6(GNB). These are the things he counted rubbish. They are not sinful, but do not constitute knowing God. Today it would be your baptism, your church titles and other commitments. The bible calls them confidence in the flesh.  If you still put your trust in such things then you do not yet know God. O that you would say like Samuel to God today 'Speak, LORD, your servant is listening.' 1Sam3:9(GNB). Come to Jesus today.