Chapter 4: Knowing God in Truth and Love
The third and correct way to know God is through a knowledge that is both intellectual and relational—one that leads to genuine love and devotion.
This is the kind of knowledge Scripture speaks of: “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3).
This is a knowledge that:
Engages the mind (understanding God as revealed in Scripture).
Captivates the heart (leading to love and worship).
Transforms the life (resulting in obedience and holiness).
The difference between this and the previous types of knowledge is:
False knowledge is wrong theology—a distortion of God.
Mere intellectual knowledge is correct theology—but without transformation.
True knowledge is both right theology and a heart that loves God deeply.
This is the knowledge Paul sought: “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Phil. 3:10). This is more than belief—it is a pursuit of God’s presence and a deep, experiential knowing.
Jesus taught that knowing God must involve the heart: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matt. 22:37). True knowledge of God leads to love, and love leads to worship, obedience, and service.
What This Book Offers: Knowledge That Stirs Affection
This book does not seek to replace theological studies. Rather, it aims to:
Bring an understanding of God in a way that engages the heart.
Make theology alive, stirring love and devotion to God.
Present the knowledge of God in a way that leads to worship.
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him” (Ps. 34:8).
True knowledge of God is like tasting and seeing—not just knowing with the mind but experiencing with the heart.
Story to Illustrate
Imagine reading a detailed cookbook description of a magnificent chocolate cake. You learn about the fine Belgian cocoa, the rich buttercream frosting, the moist layers. Your mind comprehends its excellence. This is intellectual knowledge. But then you are offered a slice. You see its beautiful texture, smell its rich aroma, and finally, you take a bite. The flavors explode on your palate—the sweetness, the bitterness of the cocoa, the creamy frosting. Now you know the cake in a completely different, more profound way. Your heart is engaged; you appreciate it, you enjoy it, you might even crave more. True knowledge of God is like that—it moves from the “recipe” of theology to the “taste” of personal experience, stirring affection and worship.
This book is an invitation:
Not just to read, but to experience.
Not just to learn, but to love.
Not just to gain knowledge, but to be transformed.
APPLICATION: EVIDENCE OF GROWTH
The journey toward a true knowledge of God involves moving beyond false concepts and mere intellectual agreement to a heart-transforming, relational knowing.
Honest Reflection:
Think about a time when your understanding of God might have been based on a “false concept” (perhaps seeing Him as distant, angry, or only as a provider of blessings). How did that affect your faith?
Recall a period when your knowledge of God might have been primarily “intellectual” (you knew the doctrines, the Bible stories) but lacked deep personal connection or transformation. What did that feel like?
Describe an experience or a season when your knowledge of God became more “true and loving”—when understanding led to deeper affection and a noticeable change in your life. What contributed to that shift?
Assessment: Where do you feel you are currently on this spectrum? What steps can you take to cultivate a knowledge of God that more fully engages both your mind and heart, leading to transformation?
Discussion Questions for Chapter 4
- True knowledge of God “engages the mind, captivates the heart, and transforms the life.” Can you share an example from your own life or observation where you’ve seen these three elements work together?
- How does the invitation to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps. 34:8) differ from simply learning facts about God?
- What practical steps can someone take to move from merely “knowing about” God to truly “knowing” Him in a way that stirs affection and leads to worship?