Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Knowing God ... Week 5

A blog of random thoughts prepared in advance for Study Group in St. Columba’s Parish Church on Wednesday 13th April 2011. (Week 5, Chapter 3 of J.I Packer’s Knowing God)


One of the most basic questions we can ask ... and what lies at the heart of all human life is the question what is our purpose?, what is the meaning of life?... and here is the answer right at the top of this Chapter!


This is where those who grasp this will see fulfillment in life, upon which all other things hang and upon which all other things come.


“Once you become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life’s problems fall into place of their own accord”


What a profound, truthful statement.


But that is not enough, we need to know what “knowing God” involves


we can know someone in front of us ... “Oh Yes i know Trevor!” we may say or we may “know french” to a greater or lesser extent. through learning, through experience, through relationship.


But how do we dare to say we know God?


Packer points out the idea of Covenant partner


“The relationship in which sinful humanuty knows God is one in which God, so to speak, takes them on to his staff, to be henceforth his fellow workers.”


Knowing God Packer says involves

  • Listening to God’s Word
  • Receiving it as the Holy Spirit interprets it in application to oneself
  • noting God’s nature and character as his word and works reveal it
  • accepting his invitations and doing what he commands
  • recognizing and rejoicing in the love that he has shown


How do we know Jesus?


When we think of how the disciples knew the living breathing Jesus... they knew him by his teaching, by his claims, by his actions.


However there are differences today

  • His Presence with us is spiritual not bodily thus invisible to the physical eye
  • The Christian, building on the new testament witness, know the complete story


Knowing Jesus remains very much the same as for those disciples as for us.


Hearing his voice and responding to it is the same yesterday, today and forever.



Packer then goes through the personal nature of knowing God


  • Knowing God is a matter of personal dealing
  • Knowing God is a matter of personal involvement
  • Knowing God is a matter of grace


Being Known by God


We need to know that not only do we know God but also that he knows us


When we take this truth under our thought then things do indeed get exciting.

“There is unspeakable comfort!”


Not merely that we know God but also that he knows us.



questions comments welcome from all readers of this blog ... comment on blogger, on facebook or via email


Regards


RF



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