01- THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD To know God aright is the greatest consequence. For unless we know him - we cannot love him, exercise confidence in him, or render the worship he requires. That we may do so - he has revealed himself in his word, and especially in the person and work of his dear Son. The glory of God, is only seen in the face of Jesus Christ. "No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father - he has revealed him." John 1:18. And the revelation is so clear, the representation is so correct, that when Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." Jesus answered: "Don’t you know Me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen Me - has seen the Father!" John 14:8-9 In the Son - the Father dwelt; and by the Son - the Father spoke and wrote. If therefore we would know the Father - we must study the Son who is "the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person," Hebrews 1:3. "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself:" 2 Corinthians 5:19; and by Christ He is now made known unto us. To know Christ - is to know the Father; and to know the father in Jesus - is life everlasting. No subject therefore can be more important or more interesting to us. May the Holy Spirit condescend to unfold it to our minds, and give us the sweet enjoyment of it in our souls!
"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways - but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe." Hebrews 1:1-2. God revealed himself by a variety of instructive and precious NAMES. By these names he was known, and is still addressed by his people in prayer. They are full of meaning, and full of sweetness. Each name brings out and places in a clear light before us - some striking feature of the divine character.
We ought therefore carefully to study these names, and endeavor to derive from them the comfort which they are calculated, and intended to impart. Let us consider a few of them, and perhaps our meditation upon these may lead us to search out and dwell upon the rest. They are . . . food for faith, fuel for love, and stimulus to hope. The more we know of God - the more we shall credit his word, and exercise confidence in his veracity and faithfulness. The more we know of God - the more we shall love his name, perfections, word, and works. The more we know of God - the more we shall expect from God, and the more steadily we shall hope in him, amidst all the storms and trials of this mortal life.
O to know him . . . in every name he bears, in every character he wears, in every relation he fills, and in every office he sustains!
O that God would shine into our hearts, "to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ!" May we all, in the unveiled face of Jesus - behold as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord - and be changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. This would . . . bring us into holy liberty; raise us above the fears, snares, and temptations; fill us with all joy and peace; and make us abound in the exercise of hope and love.
Without this . . . our fear will be slavish, our faith will be feeble, our love will be fluctuating, and our devotion will be languishing.
Never shall we be . . . thoroughly decided for God, entirely devoted to God, or very useful in the cause of God - unless we have a clear, scriptural, experimental knowledge of God. Therefore let us . . . search the word, frequent the throne of grace, and fill our meditations with the views which God has given of himself. This is the way to . . . honor God, confound Satan, conquer fear, nourish faith, encourage hope, and abound in every good word and work!
If we diligently and prayerfully pursued this course - we would often sing with pleasure and holy gratitude: My God, I am yours! What a comfort divine;
What a blessing to know, that Jesus is mine! In the heavenly Lamb, thrice happy I am, And my heart it does joy, at the sound of his name!
True pleasures abound in the rapturous sound; And whoever has found it, has paradise found; My Jesus to know, and to feel his blood flow.
’Tis life everlasting, ’tis Heaven below!
Yet onward I haste, to the heavenly feast;
That, that is the fullness; but this is the taste! And this I shall prove, until with joy I remove To the Heaven of heavens in Jesus’ love.