Effects of knowing God

The effects of knowing God

Spiritual transformation: from death to life

Colossians 1:9 NRSV

For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

See also Jn 17:3; Ga 4:8–9; Eph 1:17; Eph 3:19; Col 2:2

Moral transformation: from evil to good

Pr 2:1–6; 2 Co 10:5; 1 Th 4:3–5

See also Ro 16:26; Eph 4:17–24; Php 1:9–11; Col 1:10; 1 Jn 3:10; 1 Jn 4:8

Boldness of action for God

Je 32:38–39; Da 11:32

See also Ps 138:3; Pr 28:1; Ac 6:8–10; 2 Co 3:12; 1 Pe 1:13

Biblical images of knowing God

Like parent and child

2 Sa 7:14; 1 Jn 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; Is 49:15; Is 66:12–13; Ho 11:1; Mt 5:45; Mt 5:48; Mt 6:6–9; Mt 6:18; Mt 6:32; Lk 15:11–32 the parable of the lost son; Jn 14:21; 1 Co 1:3

Like husband and wife

Is 62:5; Je 3:14

See also Is 54:5; Je 2:2; Je 3:20; Je 31:32; Ho 2:16; Eph 5:25; Re 19:7; Re 21:2

Like king and subject

Psalm 97:1 NRSV

The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!

See also 1 Sa 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 Jesus Christ’s teaching on seeking first his kingdom; 1 Ti 1:17; 1 Ti 6:15

Like shepherd and sheep

Ge 48:15; Ps 23:1–2; Is 40:11

See also Ps 28:9; Ps 80:1; Eze 34:16; Mic 7:14; Jn 10:11; Re 7:17

The peril of not knowing God

Lack of satisfaction and degeneration in the present

Ro 1:21–32; Tt 1:15–16

See also Ex 5:2; Je 4:22; Ro 10:2–3; 1 Th 4:3–5

Eternal punishment in the future

Mt 7:22–23; Ro 1:18–19

See also Ro 2:5; 2 Th 1:8