What does it mean to:
“know” God?

We can know God at different levels.

Acquaintance level-

Knowing God means to encounter Him at certain pivotal times in life.

It could be at an especially moving worship service or perhaps in a life crisis.

In that moment we really do sense something different and may even go as far as to make a shallow commitment.

But in our daily life, there is very little – if any – change.

Affectionate level-

Knowing God is not just experiencing a moment of spiritual excitement but a commitment to be actively involved with God.

Friends spend time together and are involved in each other’s lives.

At this level, we are involved with God – to a point.

We come to church and may even participate in its activities.

We try from time to time to have a daily quiet time and attempt to be disciplined in spiritual habits.

In other words, we are really working at this friendship.

However, if the friendship level is as deep as we ever go in the pursuit of a relationship with God, sooner or later we will long for something more – because we were created for an intimate relationship with God.

Abiding level-

When Jesus says we can “know” Him-

He is talking about a “marriage level” relationship.

The first time that “know” is used in the Bible is in Genesis 4:1:

“Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain.”

When the Bible talks about “knowing” someone-

– it is not only referring to a physical knowledge,

– but to an even deeper level of intimacy.

Many of us settle for a nodding acquaintance or a mere surface affection with the Father when what He really desires and what we really need is the abiding level relationship.

There are many people in the Bible who had that kind of relationship with God.

-David was a man after God’s own heart.

-Moses spoke with God face to face.

-Mary, Martha and Lazarus were close, personal friends of Jesus.

-The disciples served beside Him day in and day out.

-You and I can have what those people had!

(PA)