God desires to make Himself known to humanity. As it says in Jeremiah 9:24, God wants us to know Him for who He truly is. Throughout history, God has revealed Himself in many ways so that we can know Him, experience His presence, and live in relationship with Him.
Through Creation
One of the most basic ways God reveals Himself is through the natural world He created. Psalms 19:1 declares, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” When we observe the intricacies of nature, the vastness of the universe, and the beauty of the earth, we get a glimpse of God’s power, majesty, creativity, attention to detail, and care for His creation. Creation testifies to the reality of God as its wise and powerful Designer. Romans 1:20 tells us that through creation, God’s “invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world.” Paying attention to creation can help us know God better.
Through Scripture
The Bible is God’s written Word, inspired by the Holy Spirit. Through its pages, God reveals His character, laws, plan of salvation, and relationship with humanity. There is no greater self-revelation of God than in the person of Jesus Christ, who is the living Word (John 1:1). By reading and studying the Bible, we come to know God intimately as He discloses His identity, heart, and ways to us. As 2 Timothy 3:16 states, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” Time spent in Scripture allows us to know God better as He reveals Himself through its divine contents.
Through The Holy Spirit
Jesus promised His followers that after His ascension, He would send the Holy Spirit to be with them (John 14:16-18). The Holy Spirit reveals God to believers in Jesus. 1 Corinthians 2:10-12 tells us that the Spirit searches the deep things of God and teaches them to us. Through the inner working of the Holy Spirit, we can know God’s presence, receive guidance, obtain spiritual gifts for ministry, comprehend spiritual truths, and more. The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus, reminding us of His teachings (John 14:26) and producing Christ-like character in us as we yield to Him.
Through Prayer
Prayer provides opportunity for intimate communion with God. As we come to Him sincerely in prayer, He reveals Himself to us in fresh ways. We get to pour out our hearts to Him and listen for His voice in the quiet. The Lord reassures us of His love, gives us wisdom for questions, and pressures us to draw close. Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” God desires us to know Him personally through consistent prayer.
Through Life Experiences
Throughout our lives, God orchestrates circumstances to reveal more of Himself to us. We can encounter God through difficulties that require us to rely on Him more fully, through people and situations that give us insight into His ways, and through reading or hearing others’ life stories and testimonies. God can speak through supernatural experiences with Him. Life’s journey with all its ups and downs is an opportunity to know God better as He guides us each step of the way.
Through Other Believers
The community of believers is one of God’s instruments to make Himself known. The church is described as “the household of God” in 1 Timothy 3:15. Through relationships and interactions with other Christians, we learn more of who God is. Their godly character, spiritual gifts, words of knowledge and wisdom, and fellowship with the Holy Spirit can be means by which God chooses to reveal Himself. The diversity within the body of Christ paints a fuller picture of our multi-faceted God.
Through Jesus Christ
God’s fullest self-revelation is found in Jesus Christ, who is “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15). Jesus said, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). By studying the life, teachings, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ, we can know God deeply and personally. Jesus makes God known through His compassion, wisdom, power over nature, perfect example, sacrificial love, and more. He discloses God’s desire for relationship with humanity. Knowing Jesusbetter allows us to know God better.
How to Grow in Knowing God
Once we place our faith in Christ, we can continue growing in our knowledge of God throughout our lives. Here are some habits that can help us know Him better:
- Study the Bible regularly to learn about God’s character and ways
- Spend time reading Bible stories and passages depicting God’s interactions with humanity
- Pray conversationally, asking God to reveal Himself
- Get involved in a church community for fellowship and teaching
- Worship and sing to God, focusing on who He is
- Participate in communion and reflect on Christ’s sacrifice
- Memorize Scripture verses about God’s identity and promises
- Read books and articles that focus on God’s attributes and work in the world
- Take walks in nature, observing God’s handiwork and goodness
- Journal about experiences with God and insights gained about Him
- Discuss God with other believers to gain new perspectives
As we seek God with all our hearts, He promises we will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). There is always more to discover about our infinite, awesome God! Asking questions, remaining teachable, and leaning on the Holy Spirit allow us to grow continually in our knowledge of Him throughout our lives.
Benefits of Knowing God More Deeply
Knowing God more intimately as He reveals Himself to us comes with great benefits, including:
- Increased awe, gratitude, and worship of God
- Deeper intimacy with and love for God
- Stronger faith and trust in God
- A lifestyle increasingly marked by godly character and the fruit of the Spirit
- Knowledge of God’s personal love, care, and guidance for our lives
- Better discernment of God’s will in situations and decisions
- Greater understanding of Scripture and its relevance
- Confidence and joy in times of suffering and trial
- Desire to live on mission for God’s kingdom purposes
- Understanding and compassion for others made in God’s image
The more we make it our aim to know God deeply through every means He has given us, the more our lives will be powerfully transformed. May we diligently seek to know Him above all else!