Knowing Him - 7

Only a right understanding of God will enable people to worship Him with reverence.

Only a right understanding of God will enable people to follow Him correctly.

Only a right understanding of God will enable people to live as light and salt of the earth.

Only a right understanding of God will enable people worthy to be called as His sons and daughters living righteously as His witnesses.

I was totally taken aback yesterday in the Sunday service when the worship leader started the worship without committing the service in the hands of the Lord and inviting the Holy Spirit of God in that place. The worship was filled with music, people dancing and praising God without having the presence of God. Surely where God is not revered one cannot expect His presence to be there. Without inviting and honoring the Holy Spirit any worship is dead though it may have loud music or exclusive dancing. I grieved in my heart, repented with the Holy Spirit for the congregation failing to honor His presence. I could not stand in that place for long but left the place with grief and anger...

The worship leader stated ( after singing one song ) a scripture from Hebrews 4:16 and said that we need to enter the throne of God with confidence and not with fear. I agree with that statement. However, I also believe that we cannot enter the throne of grace without reverence. Our God is full of grace no wonder. But He is a God who is Holy. And without proper reverence we cannot approach the throne of grace with confidence. There is great difference between fear and reverence. Without the Holy Spirit anointing both the service and worship at the pulpit is dead. God will not be present where people do not know how to revere and honor Him.

The greatest need for today's Church I believe is to know God as He is and the significant aspect of His nature i.e. He is Holy.

Hebrews 12:28,29 (New International Version)

28. ...and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,

29. for our “God is a consuming fire"

Knowing Him - 6

The right understanding of God will help us to act in faith appropriately. When we know God less there is a risk that we fail to apply faith in life where it is necessary. At the same time a wrong perception of God or His ways, can build in us a demanding spirit where we expect God to work on our terms rather humbling ourselves to allow Him to work in His terms.

Both of these concepts- knowing His nature less or expecting God to work our ways can affect our lives badly because these have drastic effects on the way we make decisions or choices in our lives. People who have little knowledge on the nature of God will fail to see that God is able to shape their lives better and as a result of which they will fail to take steps based on faith. On the other hand people who believe that they can bend the hand of God through persistent prayer, fasting and other spiritual gimmicks land up doing their own will which result in negative repercussions.

Only when we understand God as He is, will be able to act on faith appropriately where the result of our faith speaks for itself requiring no explanation but resulting in the glory of God.

1 Peter 1:7 (New American Standard Bible)

so that the proof of your faith...may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Knowing Him - 5

We would have heard many of the believers speak that God has brought upon them afflictions which they had to endure or are enduring. However, we all know that God does not inflict upon us afflictions though He does allow certain trials as in the case of Job. And when God does permit trials it is for a redemptive purpose or to mold us as better human beings. Yet many a time we forget that afflictions can also be a result of our wrong choices or decisions, actions, speech or behavior.

Whatever be the reason for affliction where God permitted or as a repercussion of our actions, God is able to use them for our good. We should not perceive that God inflicts us with afflictions as if to mean that He delights in afflicting His children which is a wrong perception of God.

Isaiah 48:10 (New Living Translation)

I have refined you, but not as silver is refined.

Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering.

Understanding that God does what is right because He is a God of justice and righteousness is the first step in understanding His nature.

Knowing Him -4

The problem with many of us is that we think of God and the way He works- in our terms rather than God's terms. Sometimes without our knowledge we exalt ourselves thinking that we are able to understand God, His will and His ways more than others do. When we go about with such lofty thinking, God has to knock out those hidden pride, arrogance and stupidity in us, to help us have a clear understanding of Him. But if we quickly repent of our pride, arrogance and stupidity and humble ourselves by bringing every thought, imagination and speculation (notion or view) of ours captive to Christ, then we will save ourselves from unnecessary pain or shame.

2 Corinthians 10:5 (New American Standard Bible)

We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,

May we never go about being high headed that we know God and His ways better than others. May we always learn to humble ourselves no matter how much we have grown, spiritually.

Knowing Him -3

As God's children we primarily know Him as our Father. The God who takes care of us as a Father would of His children. We also know Him as our provider, protector, healer, sustainer and sanctifier. Rev Selwyn Hughes says that if the bottom line of our understanding of God is limited to healer, provider, protector, etc, then we will have trouble in understanding Him or His ways. The reverend states that unless we come to grip the truth that our God is a God of justice i.e He is a God who does what is right, we will not appreciate His dealings in our lives.

We will start questioning His ways in our lives and sometimes fight with Him if we don't understand that God knows what He is doing and He does things that is right.

Hosea 14:9 (New International Version)

Who is wise? Let them realize these things.

Who is discerning? Let them understand.

The ways of the LORD are right;

the righteous walk in them,

but the rebellious stumble in them.

Though we may not able to comprehend how He works on our concerns and worries, let us know one thing...He does what is right...

Knowing Him - 2

Rev. Selwyn Hughes state that the problem that many Christians face is disappointment with God because God did not work the way they expected or do as they expected. And he says the reason for such disappointment is because of their narrow understanding of God. Understanding God the way He is- is the foundation of Christian life. And if this foundation is not set right the whole building can topple.

People of God struggle with understanding God because they expect God to be and do things according to their limited knowledge. The way they understand God and His ways can sometimes be wrong and this can lead to life's greatest disappointments. Nobody can understand God fully because He is God. However, we can know God and His ways by seeking Him with truth. When we seek Him with truth by studying the scriptures, prayer and meditation, the Spirit of God will illuminate His light in our hearts by giving an insight about God. We also get the knowledge of God through life's experience and from teaching from God's people (books or sermons).

Ephesians 1:17 (New American Standard Bible)

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.

May the Lord help us know Him as He is and help us see life through Him. That is more than enough than trying to be more spiritual headed.

Knowing Him

Many of us struggle with the question why? Why did this happen this way? I prayed, fasted and did things to the best of my knowledge and insight yet where did I fail? Or why did God allow this to happen?

The answers to many why's are not known. Yet sometimes life goes on and answers to these questions may not be found. Whether life goes favorably or unfavorably, understanding life's circumstances is not possible all the time. And what is important in this Christian life is not to find answers for many of the perplexing questions but rather to know God and learning to see life through Him...

John 17:3 (New American Standard Bible)

"This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

Understanding God is not just through mere biblical knowledge but to know Him more personally and deeply through life's experience and sometimes it takes years to really know Him that way...