What does it mean to truly know God?

I. Understanding the Question: “Truly Knowing God”

To inquire about truly knowing God is to seek more than intellectual comprehension. This concept involves an experiential understanding that includes trust, reverence, relationship, and life-changing commitment. In Scripture, the idea of knowing God merges heart and mind into a holistic union of faith, love, and obedience. As it is written, “Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent” (John 17:3). This knowledge is both deeply personal and rooted in what has been revealed through the written Word and in Christ Himself.

II. God’s Essence and Character

1. Creator and Sustainer: The first verse of the Bible declares, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). Recognizing God as Creator underscores His ultimate authority over all reality. Archaeological findings—such as the intricate historical evidence of ancient civilizations—correlate with biblical historical narratives, demonstrating the Bible’s trustworthiness when it speaks of God’s acts in time and space.

2. Holy and Righteous: Scripture repeatedly affirms God’s holiness, as shown in Isaiah 6:3 where the seraphim cry, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory”. Truly knowing God means comprehending His moral perfection. Since moral truths are objective rather than arbitrary, many philosophical arguments point to a moral Lawgiver beyond human culture or personal preference.

3. Loving and Merciful: “God is love” (1 John 4:8) encapsulates the gracious and compassionate nature of the divine. This love is supremely demonstrated through Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection. Archaeologically attested sites—where events of the life of Jesus took place—validate the historical framework of the Gospels, reinforcing the reality of God’s interventions on behalf of humanity.

III. The Desire and Purpose of Knowing God

1. Created for Relationship: Humanity is fashioned for fellowship with the Creator (Genesis 1:27). Far from being accidental products of chance, the complexity and specified information in DNA align with the notion of intentional design. Knowing God satisfies the deep longing for purpose, an innate human desire that transcends mere intellectual curiosity.

2. Glorifying God: Scripture describes that our chief purpose is to glorify Him (cf. Isaiah 43:7). This includes both public and private worship—honoring Him with our entire being. In practical terms, every action and every thought point back to the One who is worthy of all honor.

3. The Joy and Fulfillment in Relationship: “Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). This does not refer to a superficial pursuit of personal gain, but rather the transformation of one’s desires to align with God, leading to deep-seated joy and peace.

IV. The Biblical Foundation for Knowing God

1. The Importance of Scripture: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). The Scriptures provide the primary means of special revelation, revealing God’s redemptive plan through the ages. Multiple discoveries of ancient manuscripts—from the Dead Sea Scrolls to various papyrus fragments—continually support the reliability and preservation of the biblical texts.

2. Consistency of the Message: The Bible, composed over many centuries, maintains a unified message of redemption. This overarching narrative—from creation, to the fall of humanity, to Israel’s history, culminating in the work of Christ—shows remarkable continuity despite diverse human authorship. Such internal consistency undergirds trust in its claims, including the call to know God personally.

3. Christ as the Living Word: The ultimate revelation of God is in Jesus. “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us” (John 1:14). To know God is, fundamentally, to know Christ. The resurrection, supported by strong historical evidence such as the empty tomb and multiple eyewitness accounts, remains central to this knowledge (1 Corinthians 15:3–8).

V. The Role of Revelation in Truly Knowing God

1. General Revelation: Romans 1:20 states, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship.” From awe-inspiring geological structures to the complexities of living organisms, creation testifies to an eternal Designer. This broad witness invites everyone to acknowledge God's existence.

2. Special Revelation: While general revelation discloses God’s existence, special revelation—through the Scriptures—provides the details of His nature, His plan, and His redemptive work in Christ. This includes prophecies of the Messiah (e.g., Isaiah 53), Christ’s miraculous works, and His resurrection on the third day (Luke 24:46).

3. The Witness of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit internally testifies to the truth of God’s message (John 16:13). This inward confirmation works alongside the external evidence. Conversion experiences often involve both a rational affirmation of scriptural truths and a personal conviction that these truths apply directly to one’s life.

VI. The Personal Relationship with God

1. Repentance and Faith: Scripture emphasizes, “Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God… ‘Repent and believe in the gospel!’” (Mark 1:14–15). Repentance involves turning away from sin and recognizing our inability to save ourselves, placing full confidence in Jesus’ atoning sacrifice.

2. Communion through Prayer and Worship: Regular prayer fosters a dynamic relationship with God. Rather than a ritual recitation, prayer is the genuine pouring out of the heart. Worship, both corporate and individual, nurtures reverence for God’s holiness and celebrates His goodness (Psalm 95:1–2).

3. Growth in Christlikeness: Knowing God produces moral and spiritual transformation. “As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like Him” (2 Corinthians 3:18, paraphrase from context in). This ongoing process, often referred to as sanctification, exhibits the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23) in the believer’s life.

VII. Obedience as a Fruit of Knowing God

1. Faith Expressed in Action: James 2:17 clarifies that “Faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead.” Genuine knowledge of God transforms behavior, seen in love toward others and in a desire to follow Scriptural teachings (John 14:15).

2. The Greatest Commandment: When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). Genuine love for God inevitably expresses itself in tangible acts—obedience, compassion, and ethical living.

3. The Assurance of Fellowship: As believers walk in obedience, they experience the assurance of God’s presence. “We know that we have come to know Him if we keep His commandments” (1 John 2:3). This assurance is more than mere mental affirmation; it is relational trust that yields fruit in daily living.

VIII. The Holy Spirit’s Work in Knowing God

1. Illumination of Scripture: “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit enlightens believers to grasp the deeper truths of Scripture, fostering a growing knowledge of God’s character and will.

2. Intercession and Comfort: Romans 8:26 explains, “The Spirit helps us in our weakness… the Spirit Himself intercedes for us.” Experiencing God’s closeness during trials or uncertainties is part of the relational dynamic of knowing Him.

3. Empowerment for Witness: Knowledge of God naturally flows outward in sharing the good news with others (Acts 1:8). This extends beyond mere words, encompassing practical demonstrations of kindness, care for the needy, and willingness to speak of God’s transformative power.

IX. Eternal Ramifications and the Hope of Resurrection

1. The Scope of Salvation: Eternal life hinges upon truly knowing God in Christ: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life” (John 3:36). This underscores salvation’s uniqueness and the necessity of a genuine, personal relationship with the risen Savior.

2. The Hope of Resurrection: Historical and biblical evidence affirms that Jesus rose from the dead. His resurrection provides the foundation for our future hope and demonstrates God’s total power over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:20–22). For those who know Him, this reality transforms not just the present but the future.

3. Living with Purpose and Destiny: Knowing God brings purpose that transcends everyday concerns. Believers find confidence in God’s ultimate plan, resting in the assurance that this life is not the end. In Christ, there is a hope that cannot be shaken and a promise of reunion with God in the life to come (Revelation 21:3–4).

X. Conclusion

Truly knowing God constitutes a life-encompassing experience in which the mind, heart, and will are aligned with divine truth. It involves recognizing God’s holiness, embracing the loving sacrifice of Christ, and walking in daily fellowship through the Holy Spirit.

Such knowledge is accessible through Scripture, validated by historical and archaeological data, and confirmed internally by the Spirit’s witness. It transforms the believer’s inward disposition and outward conduct, creating a life shaped by repentance, faith, joy, and obedience.

Ultimately, to truly know God is to find the supreme purpose of life, glorifying Him in all things, and looking forward to the eternal hope secured by the risen Christ. As Jesus prayed: “Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent” (John 17:3).