In Ephesians 1:17, Paul talks about growing in the knowledge of God … “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him”… (NKJV). The New Living Translation paraphrases the verse as “to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in the knowledge of God.” When Paul speaks about the knowledge of God, he means much more than just an intellectual exercise or facts about Got but rather a “ full or thorough knowledge, discernment, recognition”.

The primary avenue for knowing God is through the reading of His revealed Word, the Bible, and applying the truths of Scripture to our lives. We also come to know God through prayer and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Jesus taught that one of the primary functions of the Holy Spirit is to teach us and remind us of the things He said and did. (John 14:26)

As we come to a fuller knowledge of God through prayer and study, this is reflected in how we live our lives in service and ministry to others. The youth group at one of the churches we attended had a very simple motto, “Love God… Love People.” As Jesus related in the greatest commandment, you cannot have one without the other. Let us endeavor to have a deeper knowledge of God that transforms our lives and is shown in our love of God’s people both near and far.

[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] Philippians 3:10 (Amplified Bible)