Knowing God

Isn’t it strange that the New Testament has told Saints to in essence “chunk” (that’s East Texas for “getting rid of”) the Law, yet so many still live every day centered around the pages containing the Law and neglecting the Word become flesh in the person of Jesus Christ.  In today’s writing Michael helps us to want to do some “chunking.”

For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.--John 1:17

Law is the Word of God written down. Jesus, on the other hand, is the Word become flesh. That is an important distinction, since the Law centers around a page and Word become flesh around a person.The Law is heard and to a certain extent open to each individual’s interpretation, because each person has a different heart dictionary that limits by subjective definition each word read. For example, the word comforthas different connotations for each individual. To read, “the God of all comfort,” will mean a little something different to each reader. John 1:18 tells us that no man has seen God at any time. This simple statement rules out all who make absolute claims to knowing what God is like or who philosophize about God. Man does not know God. Through the mind, body, and world man can gain a concept of what God is and spend endless hours examining and propagating the notion. The imagining may appear very lofty; however, the assessment is still made from a heart dictionary and is therefore faulty. Only Jesus can explain Him. We find out who God is from Jesus or we never find out. This is why Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). If we want to know the reality of God, not just an appraisal, we must come to God through Jesus. “He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how do you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” (John 14:9) If a disciple has not seen God, it is simply because he has not seen Jesus.Ten thousand years of human history proves that God cannot be described with words, He can only be revealed through a person. Jesus made God known through His life! The doctrines of God will leave a man prostrate in fear. The character of God revealed in Jesus leaves man walking, leaping, and praising God. Jesus reveals what is at the very heart of God, His love. Jesus is God’s love in action, or Jesus is God’s grace, for grace is love in action. Jesus makes God approachable while theology makes man turn and run. Written words will never draw man to God; only His love in the person of Jesus, the Word become flesh, attracts us.    

What powerful words in John 1:17: “…grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.”  Grace and truth…love them both.  Of course it helps to have an accurate biblical definition of both.

Michael draws our attention to one of the most important truths we can ever know: there is a huge difference between the “doctrines of God” and the “character of God.”  And Michael points out what man really wants to know: “what is at the very heart of God.”  Michael tells us Jesus reveals God’s love…that which is at the very heart of God.

So we can know just why so many Christians go through life as a Christian and never really “know” God because their focus is on God’s doctrines instead of God’s character.  Man may not know God, but His Saints certainly can.  Only His Saints will be able to see God through Jesus’ revelation of Him.  God told us that in John 1:17.