This is the beginning of a series of postings on the topic of knowing God. As Christ-followers we are called to be “imitators of Christ.” Matthew 5:48 says we should “be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Reading this in context, I don’t think it is as much about our perfection as it is about being imitators of God. If we are to reflect God’s characteristics then it stands to reason that we need to know what they are and how we can live them out.
Let me step back for a moment and talk about my motive for knowing God. My life is driven by a number of key passages of scripture. One of these passages if found in Matthew 22. Here we have an interaction between Jesus and the Pharisees around the question “What is the greatest commandment?” The answer was simple – Love God with all you are & love others as well. To love God with all I have I need to know who God is. As I get to know God better, I grow to love him more. As I love Him more, I want to get to know Him even more… It just goes on – know, loving, loving,know. Don’t forget as we are getting to know and love God, we are also to getting to know and love our neighbors.
As I begin this adventure of know God better, I reflected on the first couple of chapters of Genesis and picked out three characteristics to ponder on – God as creator, God as authority, and God as relational.
Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created…” What did God create? He created order out of chaos. Out of nothing He created all things and “it was good.” As I reflect on this characteristic the question that comes to my mind is “How can I create order out of chaos?” How is it that I can be a calming force in troubled times? In crisis or conflict am I a voice of reason or do I add fuel to the fire? As a Christ-follower I can bring the message of HOPE that can be found through a relationship with God through Jesus. In a time of crisis I can stand confidently on the promises of God. I can be that calm voice in anxious times. How can you create order out of chaos in your own life’s circumstances?
Early in Genesis 1 we also see God’s authority – He spoke and it was so. When God speaks His authority is evident. People don’t always listen and as a result stumble and tumble through life. When we speak about our relationship with God, about the truths of scripture, and our life as Christ-followers we too need to speak with authority and boldness. This is not our own authority, rather it is our positional authority as one of God’s adopted children. That said, when you speak about God and the Truths found in the Bible, speak them boldly and with authority.
The third characteristic is that God is relational – that is He lives in community. First, there is the Divine community with Father, Son, and Spirit. The Trinity. The book The Shack painted and interesting picture of what this Divine community looked like. God also values an intimate relationship with us. In Genesis 2 we have God walking in the garden, interacting with Adam & Eve. Adam & Eve knew His voice and the sound of His steps. Before they ate of the fruit it appears they drew close to God, but after their disobedience the hid from Him out of shame or fear. In the last chapter of Revelation, we see this intimate relationship finally restore as God once again walks among His people. The chapters and books between Genesis 3 and Revelation 21 spells out the story of the restoration of this intimate relationship. This restoration was made possible by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ – our Savior, our Reconciler. Relationships matter to God. Community matters to God. Relationships – with God and others – is our greatest commandment from Jesus – Love God, Love Others (Matthew 22:34-40). Paul in his New Testament writings refers to the body of believers, the church in Acts was about community, the gifts and talents we have are not for ourselves, but for use in community. What I need to do is live a life where God and others truly do matter.
These are the first three of many characteristics of God that I will be exploring though out this coming year. At times I will drill down to see at how I can apply them to my life. At other times, I will simply marvel in the awe and wonder of who God is and deepen my love for Him by simple getting to KNOW Him.
