How the Knowledge of God Impacts Your Life

Jeremiah lived in a day very similar to ours—wickedness was rampant, false religion was everywhere, dishonesty, moral corruption, and an out-and-out rejection of God’s Word were evident. The center of the problem is outlined for us in Jeremiah 9. The opening verses of chapter 9 do not paint a pretty picture. He mentions adulterers, treacherous men, tongues for lies, and not valiant for the truth (v. 2, 3). But the real problem is mentioned at the end of verse 3 and again in verse 6, “they do not know Me” and “they refuse to know Me”!

It is no different in our worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More today! People in Jeremiah’s day, as in our day, want to leave the Lord and His law completely out of their lives (Jer. 9:6, 12–16). Compare this with Romans 1:20–32. In Jeremiah 9:23, 24, we see what this worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More pursues and glories in. In verse 23, we see the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More in hot pursuit of human wisdom, human might or power, and human riches. This is the world’s idea of success, but what we really see here are three ways to waste your life!

Something is missing, and we see it in this word at the beginning of verse 24, “But.” This stands as a contrast between the system of the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More we live in and true wisdom, glory, and riches.

Where do true wisdom and power come from? What are the true riches that we should strive for in this life? Let’s look at what the Bible says about each of these things and apply them to our own lives.

• True Wisdom

Proverbs 1:7 tells us that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction,” and verse 29 reminds us that “they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord.”

“My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, so that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.” (Prov. 2:1–5)

Did you notice there are eight attitudes listed in these verses? These attitudes are missing in the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More we live in, but they are evidence of a heart that fears the Lord! This idea of fearing the Lord is mentioned

14 times in the book of Proverbs, and it means to reverence Him, to be in awe of Him, and to give Him the first place in our lives, as in the priority of our lives!

The fear of the Lord is where true wisdom is found, and “Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” (Is. 5:21)!

• True Power

Where does true power that man is constantly striving for come from? Look at Romans 1:16, 17, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More, for it is the power of God to salvationSalvation is part of God's plan of saving people. Those who are in danger and cannot help themselves need salvation. We owe our salvation to our Savior, who went to... More for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the GreekUnlike Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews; Acts 6:1; 9:29), Greeks, in the narrow sense of the word, come from Greece and have at least one Greek parent (Acts 16:3 in connection with... More. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’”

In Ephesians 1:18–20, Paul prays, “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.” It is interesting to notice there are actually four different GreekUnlike Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews; Acts 6:1; 9:29), Greeks, in the narrow sense of the word, come from Greece and have at least one Greek parent (Acts 16:3 in connection with... More words used to describe the power of God here: power, where we get our word dynamite; where we get the word energy mighty; and power, meaning strength. This power is from God and not of us, and it comes to us as we wait on the Lord (Is. 40:30, 31)!

• True Riches

Back in Ephesians we read about the riches of His graceTo the one who earns something through performance, the reward is not according to grace but according to debt (Rom. 4:4). Grace is a favor that is not given by... More, the riches of His glory, the riches of His mercy and the unsearchable riches of ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More (see Eph. 1:7, 18, 2:4, 3:8). These verses remind us that true riches come from God through the Lord Jesus ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More!

Paul told Timothy, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows,” but “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim. 6:10, 6). If we glory or boast, we should glory in the cross of ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More: “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More, by whom the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More has been crucified to me, and I to the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More.” (Gal. 6:14)

Wisdom, power, and riches are not wrong in themselves, but the pursuit of anything in life without God being the center of our focus is unfulfilling.

“Remember now, your Creator, in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, ‘I have no pleasure in them.’ ... Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” (Ecc. 12:1, 13, 14)

 

5 Results of Knowing God

The thought of understanding simply means having a correct insight into the nature of the object and conforming oneself to the nature of that object. The thought of "knowing God" means to have an intimate, personal knowledge of Him. It is not something we can put into a test tube. It is something that is to be lived out in our daily lives!

1. A Desire to be Like Him

The French philosopher Pascal is credited with saying, “Man’s greatest needs are security and significance.” He also said, “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of each man which cannot be satisfied by any created thing but only by God the Creator, made known through Jesus ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More.” You cannot find these things outside a personal relationship with Jesus ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More!

Moses learned more about God when the glory of God passed by him, and he saw the back side of God’s glory. “And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin’” (Ex. 34:6, 7). When we learn of Him, we become more like Him!

2. Truth About Myself

The Word of God is a mirror, and as I look into it, I see myself the way God sees me! As I focus off myself and on God as He is revealed in the ScripturesIn the NT, the various parts of the OT are referred to as “the Scriptures”; these are the “sacred letters/writings” (2 Tim. 3:15). “Every Scripture is divinely inspired and profitable... More, I see more clearly who He is, and I see myself in that light. This is what happened to Isaiah in chapter 6:1–8. Before Isaiah could make his God known, he had to see His holinessIt generally denotes something separate from the ordinary or even evil. Holiness is, above all, an attribute of God; He is glorious in holiness, He sits on his throne of... More and learn how unfit he was for the presence of his God! Like a mirror, it reveals the truth, and the truth sets you free!

3. Perspective on the WorldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More

We see this displayed in the life of Daniel. Daniel knew the source of wisdom and might (Dan. 2:20–23, 28, 47). Because Daniel knew his God, he could interpret His word. We see this again in chapter 6. Daniel’s enemies knew they would not be able to find fault with Daniel except in connection to his relationship with his God. But Daniel knew his God and depended on Him. Daniel feared the Lord and not men!

4. Strength and Security

This is seen not only in the life of Daniel but also in his three friends (Dan. 3:17). “Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. And those of the people who understand shall instruct many.” (Dan. 11:32, 33) The life of Stephen is another example of becoming stronger and more secure when we know our God (Acts 7).

5. An Eternal Dimension

• John 17:3: “And this is eternal lifeEternal life is more than life without end. Eternal life is the highest conceivable quality of life. It is life in abundance (John 10:10). Christ himself is the true God... More, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More whom You have sent.”

• 1 Corinthians 2:9: “But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’”

• Romans 11:33: “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!”

Conclusion

There are some things about our God that we will never fully understand here on this side of Heaven, such as the TrinityTrinity means that the three persons of the Godhead – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – are distinct from one another but are nevertheless one God. It was already known... More, His glory, His sovereignty, and His majesty. These things have to do with His person, His presence, His plan and purpose, and His positionThe Christian position cannot be separated from Christian practice, but a distinction must be made. "Position" means how God sees us now. In the eyes of God, we are "in... More. But we want to learn more about Him and become more like Him as the Spirit of God conforms us to His image!