Sometimes I think we know God as well as we know our distant aunt who lives states away. We believe our aunt exists, we’re related to her, but we live too far away to know her well.
Maybe this kind of distant relationship with God is what Apostle Paul felt when he prayed for the believers in Ephesus to know God better (Eph. 1:17). He used two different Greek words for “knowing,” which emphasizes the depth to which Paul longed for believers to know God—through and through, completely.
Ephesians 1:17–19a (NIV)
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
Paul wanted believers to know:
1. The hope to which we have been called.
2. That we are Christ’s inheritance (and we inherit the Kingdom of God in Christ).
3. God’s incomparable power toward us who believe.
So, how can we know God like Paul desires?
How can we tap into this revelation?
We go directly to the source.
The Bible is where we learn who God is, who we are, and how to live with cosmic purpose (2 Timothy 3:16–17). As we seek God through learning the Bible and other Christian spiritual practices, God’s Spirit helps us know the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10).
On our own, we are powerless to deeply know God, but by his Spirit and through his word, we not only get direct access to his thoughts, we get to walk with him wherever we go (Galatians 5:16) because he lives in us and is with us (John 14:16–17).
Your Turn
Pause:
Take a moment, breathe, and ask yourself if you really want to know God.
Read:
Read Ephesians 1:15–23 in your preferred Bible translation.
Reflect:
What is one practice you can be committed to so you can know God better?
Maybe it’s regular prayer, Bible study, or gathering with other believers regularly in authentic community.
What is one way you can make knowing God your pursuit?
Pray:
Pray about your desire to know God or follow the prayer below:
Father God, I want to know you. Show me when and how to practice knowing you better. In Jesus’ name, amen.
