Can We Know God?

1. IN what tragic state of ignorance did Paul find the people of Athens? As I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To the unknown God. Acts 17:23. 2. In contrast to their uncertainty what striking affirmation did Paul make at another time? 1 know whom 1 have believed. 2 Timothy 1:12. NOTE. The heart of religion is not an opinion about God, such as philosophy might reach as the conclusion of its argument; it is a personal relationship with God.-William Temple, Nature, Man and God, page 54. Our condition through sin is unnatural, and the power that restores us must he supernatural, else it has no value. There is but one power that can break the hold of evil from the hearts of men, and that is the power of God in Jesus Christ. Only through the blood of the Crucified One is there cleansing from sin. His grace alone can enable us to resist and subdue the tendencies of our fallen nature. E. G. White, The Ministry of Healing, page 428. 3. How does Paul express his desire for others? 1 cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. Ephesians 1:15-17. NOTE A philosophy of religion must include and conform to all the facts of life. It cannot look at the world through rose-colored glasses, nor can it be blind to any fact of human experience. It cannot limit itself, for example, to the intellect and exclude the feelings. Religion is life. To be adequate as an interpretation of life a philosophy of religion must have something to say about every serious element of mans experience. It must take into account all the possible experiences that a man can meet between birth and the grave.-Troy Organ, The Fascination of the Terrible, Religion in Life, volume 10, Number 3, Page 372. 4. Can unaided human reason attain to a knowledge of God? Touching the Almighty, we cannot find Him out. Job 37:23. NOTE-Skilled as man may he in solving the mysteries of the universe, he cannot find out God. Elihu spoke truly when he said: Behold, God is great, and we know Him not, neither can the number of His years he searched out. Job 36:26. 5. Why cannot we search out God in the same way that we study natural phenomena? a. Because He cannot be apprehended by the physical faculties. You have neither heard His voice at any time, no: seen His shape. John 5:37. b. Because the finite mind cannot comprehend the infinite. That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out? Ecclesiastes 7:24. NOTE. Always the great preachers have been great because they preached a mighty gospel. As they declared it, it is no shallow pond, round which one can stroll in half an hour or so, but an illimitable ocean with the surging of eternity in it, and deep calling unto deep. -Arthur John Gossip, The Whole Counsel of God, Interpretation, vol. 1, No. 3, P. 328. c. Because sinful man cannot approach God. Thou cannot see My face: for there shall no man see Me, and live. Exodus 33:20. 6. Though man cannot find out God, what does God offer to do for man? 1 will make known My words unto you. Proverbs 1:23. He opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction. Job 33:16. 7. Through what channels does God make Himself known to man? a. Through His works. The invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead. Romans 1:20. See also Psalm 19:1. b. Through inspired men. God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets. Hebrews 1:1. c. Through Jesus. We know that the Son of God is come, and bath given us an understanding, that we may &now Him that is true. 1 John 5:20. See also John 1:18. d. Through the Holy Spirit. You have an unction from the Holy One, and you &now all things. You need not that any man teach you. 1 John 2:20, 27. 8. Why do many fall to apprehend God? The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14. 9. On what conditions is this spiritual discernment given?

a. Spiritual desire. Yea, if thou cries after knowledge, and lifts up thy voice for understanding; if thou seeks her as silver, and searches for her as for hid treasures; then shall thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:3-5. b. Faith. He that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He rewards them that diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6. NOTE Those who refuse to believe without scientific demonstration show that they misunderstand the nature and purpose of faith. A forced belief could not bring men nearer to God. But we do not in the least degree escape from these difficulties, but rather multiply them, when we abandon faith. The difficulties of infidelity are greater than the difficulties of faith. It is more reasonable to believe than to doubt; but reason will never compel faith.-F. S. Webster, Christ and the Comforter, page 31. Faith is not the antithesis of thought, but only of sight. Faith is an act of the will relating you to new realities, new objects. Act as if the invisible Christ were present and accessible, and you will not be met by vacancy. He will respond and make manifest His response to you. -E. Y. Mullins, Why Is Christianity True? page 272. c. Readiness to obey. His secret is with the righteous. Proverbs 3:32. 10. What are some of the blessings which a knowledge of God brings to the believer? a. Peace. Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee. Job 22:21. NOTE Thou has made us for Thyself, and the heart of man is restless until it finds its rest in Thee. - Augustine, Confessions, b. 1, Sec. I. b. Joy. Thou wilt show me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11. NOTE - The world is full of pleasure, but how little joy! The appearance of happiness is but a cloak to conceal an aching heart, a feeble attempt to escape from the sorrow which is sapping the life of mankind. How different is the joy of knowing God! It is not superficial and transient, but deep and enduring. c. Understanding. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord. Hosea 6:3. For the Lord gives wisdom. Proverbs 5:6. See also James 1:5. d. Comfort. Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 2 Corinthians 1:4. e. Confidence and hope. 1 know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which 1 have committed unto Him against that day. 2 Timothy 1:12. 11. What supreme blessing does the knowledge of God bring to the believer? This is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou has sent. John 17:3. 12. What urgent call therefore comes to us? Seek you the Lord while He may be found, call you upon Him while He is near. Isaiah 55:6. NOTE - God is infinitely willing and desirous of bestowing His companionship upon us. Tenderly He pleads for us to come to Him. He will not force an entrance into the sanctum of the soul if we do not wish to know Him, but He knocks at our heart s door, and if we will open to Him, He will come in and abide with us. 13. How should we respond to the call of God? When Thou said, Seek you My face; my heart said unto Thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. Psalm 27:8. NOTE-To know Him; to talk with Him; to tell Him all our joys and sorrows, and to hear His words of comfort; to walk with Him in the daily tasks of life and to feel the support of His powerful and what a glorious privilege! Shall we refuse such an invitation? 14. What benediction does Peter pronounce upon believers? Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18. Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord. 2 Peter 1:2.