The Priority of Knowing God

Transcript:

Hello, this is Pastor Don Willeman of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to the Kingdom Perspective.

What is the point of life? What is the goal you should be aiming for each and every day?

The Bible suggests to us that nothing is more important than knowing God, and nothing is more practical. The great 19th century preacher Charles Spurgeon put it this way:

“I know nothing which can so comfort the soul; so calm the swelling billows of sorrow and grief; so speak peace to the winds of trial, as a devout musing upon the subject of the Godhead.” (morning sermon on January 7, 1855, at New Park Street Chapel, Southwark, England)

God is our designer (He made us), and God is our destiny (He is our final judge). We were made by Him and for Him. We were made to know Him and be in relationship with Him. But to know and be in relationship with someone requires knowing something about that person. Thus, to begin to know God, we must first know something about Him.

So, what can you do to grow in this knowledge about God? I recommend that you grab a classic book that faithfully distills the teaching of Scripture, such as Knowing God by J.I. Packer. If you want to start on a more basic level, try R.C. Sproul’s The Holiness of God. And, if you are looking for something more advanced, you’d be hard pressed to find anything more impressive than the Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin.

Bottom line: You should pursue the knowledge of God and make knowing Him your highest goal.

Something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective.

“When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.’”

~ John 17:1-3 (ESV)