8136 knowing God, effects of

Knowing God has a transforming effect on a person spiritually and morally and makes that person bold in actions for God. Not knowing God in the present will result in dissatisfaction and degeneration into wickedness and in the future will bring eternal alienation from him.

The effects of knowing God

Spiritual transformation: from death to life Col 1:9 See also Jn 17:3; Gal 4:8-9; Eph 1:17; Eph 3:19; Col 2:2

Moral transformation: from evil to good Pr 2:1-6; 2Co 10:5; 1Th 4:3-5 See also Ro 16:26; Eph 4:17-24; Php 1:9-11; Col 1:10; 1Jn 3:10; 1Jn 4:8

Boldness of action for God Jer 32:38-39; Da 11:32 See also Ps 138:3; Pr 28:1; Ac 6:8-10; 2Co 3:12; 1Pe 1:13

Biblical images of knowing God

Like parent and child 2Sa 7:14 pp 1Ch 17:13 1Jn 3:1 God disciplines like a parent: Heb 12:6; Pr 3:12; Dt 8:5
Ps 2:7; Ps 27:10; Ps 68:5; Ps 89:26; Ps 103:13; Isa 49:15; Isa 66:12-13; Hos 11:1; Mt 5:45,48; Mt 6:6-9,18,32; Lk 15:11-32 the parable of the lost son; Jn 14:21; 1Co 1:3

Like husband and wife Isa 62:5; Jer 3:14 See also Isa 54:5; Jer 2:2; Jer 3:20; Jer 31:32; Hos 2:16; Eph 5:25; Rev 19:7; Rev 21:2

Like king and subject Ps 97:1 See also 1Sa 8:7; Ps 5:2; Ps 10:16; Ps 29:10; Ps 44:4; Ps 84:3; Ps 95:3; Ps 99:1; Ps 145:1; Mt 6:33 pp Lk 12:31 Jesus Christ’s teaching on seeking first his kingdom; 1Ti 1:17; 1Ti 6:15

Like shepherd and sheep Ge 48:15; Ps 23:1-2; Isa 40:11 See also Ps 28:9; Ps 80:1; Eze 34:16; Mic 7:14; Jn 10:11; Rev 7:17

The peril of not knowing God

Lack of satisfaction and degeneration in the present Ro 1:21-32; Tit 1:15-16 See also Ex 5:2; Jer 4:22; Ro 10:2-3; 1Th 4:3-5

Eternal punishment in the future Mt 7:22-23; Ro 1:18-19 See also Ro 2:5; 2Th 1:8

See also