Knowing About God versus Knowing God

  Knowing God is the most important thing that any person can ever know. But there is a difference between knowing about God and knowing God Himself. If you have been a Christian for very long you have accumulated a large store of information about God from Sunday School classes, Bible reading, Bible studies, Christian books, and sermons. This knowledge is important—essential even; but it will not benefit you, unless you apply your knowledge in real life experiences by exercising your faith. “For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it” (Heb. 4:2).

  We can learn about God by asking questions like “Who is God?”, “What is He like?”, and “What can I know about Him?” But the most important question to ask is “Who is God to me?” Christians grow and change when they begin to use faith to apply what they know about God in their responses to the tests, trials, and crises of life. This is a personal and relational knowledge, not an academic or intellectual one.

  When we exercise our faith by applying what we know cognitively about God to the actual circumstances of our lives, we begin to know God Himself. For instance, when you face a trial, you may know in your head that God is faithful and trustworthy, as Deut. 7:9 says     “Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God.” But until you exercise faith in God’s word, this knowledge does not help you. However, when you choose to believe God’s word and turn to Him personally as your faithful and trustworthy God, two things occur. First, you will experience God’s help in your trial, and second, you will begin to learn experientially that God is faithful, because you personally learn His faithfulness to you.

  Many Christians know about God, but they remain mired in spiritual immaturity. Those who are mature know God personally; they have proved His amazing and magnificent character in the crucible of life.