Jeremiah 9:23–24
“Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord.”
John 17:3
“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”
We can know many things about someone without truly knowing them.
We may know where they live, what work they do, or what they enjoy. Those facts are real, but they are not the same as relationship.
The same can happen in our understanding of God.
We may know Bible stories, recognize familiar verses, and use words such as holy, loving, and powerful. Yet God’s attributes are more than facts to memorize. They reveal who He is.
God told His people not to boast in wisdom, strength, or riches. If they were going to boast, they should boast in this: that they understood and knew Him.
Jesus went even further. He said that eternal life is knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom He sent.
Knowing God is at the heart of the Christian life.
We cannot discover everything about God through our own reasoning. He is infinite, and we are not. But God has not remained hidden. He reveals His power and glory through creation. Through Scripture, He tells us who He is and makes the message of salvation known. Most fully, He has revealed Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Creation shows us that God exists and displays His greatness, but creation alone cannot tell us about the cross, forgiveness, or salvation. We know God truly only because Jesus Christ came, died for sinners, rose again, and brings all who trust in Him to the Father.
When we learn that God is sovereign, we discover that our lives are not ruled by chance. When we understand that He is holy, we begin to see sin more clearly. When we recognize that He is merciful and gracious, we understand why sinners can come to Him through Christ. When we remember that He is faithful and unchanging, we find solid ground in uncertain seasons.
What we believe about God shapes how we pray, how we endure suffering, how we make decisions, and how we treat other people.
Over the coming days, we will consider many of God’s attributes. We will use words that may sometimes seem large, but each one tells us something important and beautiful about the God who created us and has made a way for us to know Him.
We will never reach the end of all there is to know about God.
But we can know Him truly through Jesus—and the more clearly we see who He is, the more reason we have to trust, worship, and love Him.
Reflection
* When you think about God, which of His attributes comes to mind first?
* How does knowing that God has revealed Himself through Jesus affect the way you see Him?
* What do you hope to understand more clearly about God during this series?
Prayer
God, thank You for making Yourself known. Thank You for sending Jesus to die for sinners, rise again, and bring us to You. As I learn more about who You are, correct what I have misunderstood and deepen my trust in You. Help me not only to gather information about You, but to know, worship, and love You more. Amen.