MAKE TIME TO KNOW GOD By Major. Frank Materu
Key Verse:
“Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” – Hosea 6:3
Introduction:
In our pursuit of spiritual growth, it is easy to confuse learning about God with truly knowing Him.
Many acquire knowledge passed down from human understanding but lack a personal revelation of God’s character and presence.
God does not merely desire that we know about Him; He longs for us to know Him intimately.
This article highlights the importance of seeking a deep and personal relationship with God.
Let us step out of the confines of manmade traditions and press into knowing God as He reveals Himself through His Spirit and Word.
The Difference Between Knowing About God and Knowing God
Scripture Reference:
Jeremiah 9:23-24
"Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me."
Many people settle for secondhand knowledge of God, passed from one person to another.
This intellectual understanding lacks the transformative power of personal encounter.
God desires a relationship, not a religion.
Knowing About God is intellectual and superficial.
It relies on human logic and secondhand stories.
Knowing God is relational and experiential.
It comes from allowing His Spirit to lead, guide, and transform us.
The Call to Follow God Fully.
Scripture Reference:
Psalm 25:45
"Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."
God calls us to follow Him wherever He leads.
This journey is not about fitting Him into our preconceived notions but about surrendering to His will.
Avoid the Boxes of Human Tradition:
Too often, people limit God to doctrines and ideas shaped by human understanding.
When we box God in, we lose the fullness of His revelation.
Instead, we must walk in His ways and seek His truth daily.
Seek God with All Your Heart:
God promises to reveal Himself to those who seek Him with a sincere heart (Jeremiah 29:13).
Let us pursue Him with passion and openness, trusting in His perfect plans for our lives.
Bearing the Sweet Fruit of God’s Will.
Scripture Reference: John 15:5
"I am the vine; you are the branches.
If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
God desires that our lives bear fruit that reflects His goodness and glory.
This requires surrendering to His refining process, allowing Him to shape and prune us.
Sweet Fruit, Not Bitter:
God’s plan is for His people to produce sweet, lifegiving fruit.
When we submit to His ways, He transforms us into vessels of His love, joy, and peace (Galatians 5:2223).
Reject the Foolishness of the World
The world offers distractions that lead to foolishness and destruction. But God calls us to walk in the wisdom and truth of His Word. Let us reject the chaos of worldly pursuits and anchor ourselves in His peace.
The Transforming Power of God’s Word:
Scripture Reference: Hebrews 8:10.
"This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord.
I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts.
I will be their God, and they will be my people."
True knowledge of God comes when His Word is written on our hearts. When this happens:
We walk in holiness – Sin loses its power over us.
We stand firm in faith – The enemy has no foothold in our lives.
God’s Word transforms our minds and shapes our actions, enabling us to live victoriously in Him.
Conclusion:
It is not enough to know about God; we must strive to know Him deeply and personally.
This requires time, intentionality, and a heart fully surrendered to His will.
As we seek to know God, He will reveal Himself to us, guide us in His ways, and fill our lives with His presence.
Let us pursue Him with all our hearts, trusting that His path leads to true fulfillment and eternal life.
May we commit to knowing God, not just in word, but in spirit and truth, allowing His glory to shine through us for His purposes.
