Practical discipleship is about knowing the God of Light (Part Two)

From the desk of Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D., Bible Expositor & Teacher. The goal of discipleship is that of knowing the God of Light (1 John 2:3-11). According to Scripture, being a Christian disciple involves personal spiritual growth in the area of intimately knowing the God of Light. John teaches us, “By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments” (1 John 2:3). John essentially states that a genuine relationship with God is demonstrated through actively following His teachings and living a life aligned with His will. The most obvious goal of fellowship with God (1 John 1:3) is to get to know the One with whom we’re having fellowship. The words “By this” are explained by the phrase, “if we keep His commandments.” In other words, this knowing of God isn’t possible apart from the keeping of His commandments! This verse is not talking about the saving knowledge of God because every believer has this. This verse is talking about the experiential (intimate) knowledge of God. While both saving knowledge and intimate knowledge of God are important, saving knowledge is the foundational belief in God’s grace and Jesus’s sacrifice for salvation, while intimate knowledge is a deeper, personal relationship with God through the experience of keeping His commandments! At the level of communion and fellowship (intimacy) a believer may or may not “know” his Lord. This can be seen in Jesus’ exchange with Philip (John 14:7-9). The connection between “knowing” and “keeping” is that while knowing provides understanding and potential, keeping translates that knowing into practical application and experience (discipleship). Be encouraged to know the God of Light!