Knowing God
J. I. Packer
21 min
7 Key Points
4.8 RateWhat's inside?
Explore the profound journey of faith and understanding, as you delve into the nature and character of God, fostering a deeper, more personal relationship with the divine.
You'll learn
1. Why it's cool to really know God2. Tips to get closer to God3. What's God like, anyway?4. The Holy Spirit's part in getting to know God5. Faith and obedience: Do they matter in knowing God?6. How knowing God can flip your world around.Key points
01Understanding the Importance of Knowing God Personally
Ever found yourself in a situation where you know a lot about a person, but you don't really know them? You know their name, their job, their favorite food, but you've never actually had a conversation with them. You've never shared a laugh, a tear, or a moment of understanding. That's the difference between knowing about someone and knowing them personally. And according to J. I. Packer in his book "Knowing God", this distinction is crucial when it comes to our relationship with God. In the realm of theology, there are two types of knowledge: theoretical and experiential. Theoretical knowledge is all about facts and information. It's like reading a biography about someone. You learn about their life, their achievements, their struggles, but it's all second-hand information. You're not really part of their story. On the other hand, experiential knowledge is like being in the story. It's like being friends with the person whose biography you're reading. You're not just learning about their life, you're sharing it with them. You're experiencing their joys, their sorrows, their triumphs, and their failures. Now, let's apply this to our understanding of God. Theoretical knowledge about God is important. It helps us understand who God is, what He has done, and what He promises to do. But it's not enough. To truly know God, we need experiential knowledge. We need to experience His presence in our lives. We need to feel His love, His grace, His mercy. We need to see His work in our lives and in the world around us. Experiential knowledge of God is transformative. It changes us from the inside out. It's not just about knowing facts about God, it's about knowing God Himself. It's about having a relationship with Him. In "Knowing God", Packer shares stories of people who have experienced this transformation. They've gone from knowing about God to knowing God, and it has changed their lives in profound ways. Knowing God personally impacts every aspect of our lives. It influences our thoughts, our actions, our decisions. It gives us a sense of purpose, a sense of peace, a sense of joy. It's like having a compass that always points us in the right direction. Packer illustrates this with the story of a man who, after years of struggling with doubt and fear, finally experienced God's presence in his life. This experience gave him a peace and a confidence that he had never known before. So, what does it mean to know God personally? It means more than just knowing about Him. It means experiencing His presence in our lives. It means having a relationship with Him. It means being transformed by His love and grace. And it means living a life of purpose, peace, and joy. So, as you go about your day, ask yourself this: Do I just know about God, or do I really know Him?
02Exploring the Majesty and Greatness of God
Have you ever tried to wrap your mind around the vastness of the universe? It's a daunting task, isn't it? Now, imagine trying to comprehend the nature of the One who created it all. This is the challenge we face when we attempt to understand God and His attributes. Let's start with God's omnipotence, which means that He is all-powerful. Imagine a master artist who can create any masterpiece with a single stroke of his brush. That's a glimpse of God's omnipotence. He spoke, and the universe came into existence. He commands, and nature obeys. His power is absolute, unlimited, and beyond our comprehension. Next, consider God's omniscience, or His all-knowing nature. Picture a librarian who knows every book in the library, every word on every page, and every thought of every author. That's a tiny fraction of God's knowledge. He knows our past, present, and future. He knows our thoughts before we think them and our words before we speak them. His wisdom is infinite, and His understanding is beyond measure. Then there's God's omnipresence, meaning He is everywhere at all times. Imagine a light that fills a room, reaching every corner and crevice, leaving no place in darkness. That's a hint of God's omnipresence. He is not confined by time or space. He is present everywhere, fully and completely, at all times. Understanding these attributes of God can inspire awe and reverence in us. It's like standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon or gazing at the night sky filled with stars. The sheer magnitude of what we're witnessing leaves us in awe. This awe and reverence are crucial in our relationship with God. They remind us of His majesty and greatness and our dependence on Him. Now, let's delve into God's holiness. Holiness means being set apart, and in God's case, it refers to His absolute purity and moral perfection. Imagine a diamond that's so pure and flawless that it outshines all others. That's a glimpse of God's holiness. He is perfectly pure, morally flawless, and completely separate from sin. This leads us to the concept of God's transcendence, which means He is above and beyond His creation. Picture an architect who designs and builds a magnificent skyscraper. The architect is not part of the skyscraper; he is separate from it, yet he knows every detail of it. That's a hint of God's transcendence. He is separate from His creation, yet intimately involved with it. In conclusion, understanding God's attributes and His holiness can give us a glimpse of His majesty and greatness. It's like trying to comprehend the vastness of the universe. It's a daunting task, but it's also a humbling and awe-inspiring one. So, let's take a moment to reflect on the majesty and greatness of God as revealed through His attributes and holiness. It's a journey of discovery that can deepen our relationship with Him and inspire us to live in awe and reverence of Him.
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03Exploring God's Love and Grace: A Gift Undeserved
04Understanding God's Wrath and Justice
05Exploring the Wisdom and Truth of God
06Knowing God through Jesus Christ: The Importance of Faith
07Conclusion
About J. I. Packer
J. I. Packer was a highly respected British-born Canadian evangelical theologian. He was best known for his work in historical theology, systematic theology, and Puritanism. Packer was a prolific author and lecturer, and a key figure in the Evangelical movement of the 20th century.