Today I heard the second of my church's Lenten sermon series on "Becoming Like Jesus." Each week we are focusing on a different aspect from the passage of 2 Peter 1: 3-8.
"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. "
Today's attribute was knowledge. I found it interesting to hear that the original (Hebrew? Greek?) word for knowledge used in the beginning of the passage means the knowledge that Christ died and rose again. This is factual. The second time the word knowledge is used, in verse six, it implies a knowledge beyond understanding Christ's actions. It speaks of a knowledge that comes from being intimately related to God and knowing God through His revelation of Himself to us.
This is pretty heavy stuff. Knowing God. Through His self-revelation. And what does self-revelation mean anyway? I do agree with the point my pastor made that attending church every Sunday and even serving the church doesn't mean that you know God. It's pretty easy to go through the motions and be a "Christian." But knowing God, in my opinion, is a much greater undertaking. It involves confessing your sins, praying, reading the Bible, taking time to actually listen...yikes! Who has the time, patience, focus, etc. for that?
I will not claim to have figured "knowing God" out. Most of the things I just listed about I don't do far often enough. But I do think I've made a start on the journey of coming to know God. And it is a journey. An addictive journey, actually. That's part of the beauty of God - once He has you in His grasp, He'll never let go. If you are reading this and wondering more about how to know God, don't hesitate to ask me to explain more. It's an extremely personal, intimate, and difficult undertaking, but one that is infinitely worth pursuing.
Last thought: Adam and Eve knew God. They walked with him in the garden every evening! Talk about intimate knowledge of God. And while part of me is really envious of Adam and Eve, another part of me knows that God extends that intimacy to me as well. Guess I should go work on finding it.
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