In case you haven’t noticed, I am dedicated to helping people (specifically those people who read my musings here) understand the truths presented in J.I. Packer’s Knowing God. Hopeful that many of you are now serious about knowing God enough to read about it here, I assume you’re wondering what specific activity is involved. So before you ask, I’ll provide the answer.

Again, I’m just borrowing from Packer who offers four activities.[1]

First, knowing God involves “listening to His Word and receiving it as the Holy Spirit interprets it, in application to oneself.” Read the Bible and/or listen to biblical preaching with an openness to understanding the changes it will suggest. As Jesus taught, “The sheep hear his voice, and he calls [them] by name and leads them out” (John 10:3 ESV).

Second, know God involves “noting God’s nature and character, as his Word and works reveal it.” Again, you must come in contact with the Word in some form and pay careful attention to what it says about God. Knowing about God doesn’t guarantee knowing Him, but not knowing about Him will guarantee not knowing Him.

Third, knowing God involves “accepting his invitations and doing what he commands.” James, the half brother of Jesus summarizes this idea well. “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22 ESV).

Fourth, knowing God involves “recognizing and rejoicing in the love that he has shown in thus approaching you and drawing you into this divine fellowship.” Until we regard our salvation as an act of divine love in which we find infinite joy, we will not approach any meaningful knowledge of Him.

Are you engaged in any activity that will lead you to a more intimate knowledge of Him?