Know Him

Philippians 1:9  I pray that your love will overflow more and more and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.  

I got "stuck" on this verse recently.  The growing and knowing part.   It brought to mind another verse I had read shortly before this, Ephesians 1:17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.  

And the question came to me, "How do we grow in knowledge of God?"   The answer came equally as fast, "Obedience."  John 14:21    Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

It's really a very simple process.  As we obey, Jesus reveals Himself.  Of course there is a little more to it than that...in order to obey we need to know what to do, right?  How do we know what to do?  Study the Word.  Psalm 119:15 I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways.                2 Timothy 2:15  Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.  God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.  

Study.  Obey.  Know.  Sounds simple.  Okay, though we all know the middle part is tough sometimes, a lot of times.  LOL  But we keep at it.  God promises that He will strengthen us.  2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.   He promises to complete the good work in us that He started.   Philippians 3:6  And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. I also think the more we obey, the easier it becomes.  Conversely the more we resist God's teaching, quench the Spirit as it were, the less we will want to obey to begin with.  Just something to think about.

Lord, teach us to obey.  Help us to resist temptation, to resist our flesh, to follow after Your Holy Spirit.  We want to know You!  In Jesus' most powerful Name, amen.

Study.  Obey.  Know.