Understanding God Through Jesus
by Erica Cosgrove
1 John 5:20
We know that the Son of God has come, and has given us an understanding, that we know him who is true, and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
Knowledge.
Wisdom.
Understanding.
Each of these are valuable traits that we as Christians are told to seek after. However, how we believe we obtain knowledge, wisdom, or understanding is varied.
Some people believe that wisdom and understanding come with age. Some people believe that knowledge and understanding come with schooling. Others credit finding things out for yourself and getting ahead on your own. Still others believe that these things come from being part of a harmonious community.
When we begin to try to understand God, we often want to approach it in a way that we already understand. We try to understand God through logic, schooling, or community. Each of these can be helpful. However, they can only get us so far in understanding God.
In order to truly know someone, we need a personal relationship with them, otherwise we simply knowing about them.
The same is true with God. If we are to move beyond head knowledge to a deeper knowing, we need relationship.
1 John 5:20 makes clear that the understanding needed to truly know God comes via only one way: Jesus Christ. By knowing Jesus, through the accounts in the Bible, and through personal relationship with Him, we are given an understanding of who God is.
Reflection
What do I currently understand about God? What more would I like to know?
Prayer
Dear God, I ask for wisdom and understanding about who You are. Draw me deeper into relationship with Jesus Christ, that I may know you, the true God. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
