Who is God? What a question! But, a very good question.  If someone asked you, “Who is God?” what would your response be? Most of us would probably say something similar to the following. He is the creator. He sent His son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. Then we may even go on to make statements about His attributes. He is all-powerful, He is Holy, He is all-knowing, He is everywhere. We might even say, depending on our present life circumstances, that he is in control over all things. These are all very true statements but still, the question begs to be answered in such a way that allows us to live it out practically, here in this present age. In other words, how does knowing who God is, make a difference in my life?

First, how does one get to know God? How can a mere mortal get that kind of access to the Divine? Let me tell you where. It’s the Bible, God’s Word. It’s a battlefield to be sure. It’s a place where faith battles with human reasoning.  The Bible is the only written statement of what God says about himself. How do I know that God is the creator, that He is Holy, or where do I learn about any other of His attributes? From His Word, the Bible. Some may say, “Well, isn’t that a little narrow-minded?” “Don’t other religions, other cultures have their concept of who God is?” “What about science?” “What about other religious books?”  This is the battlefield! It’s faith vs human reasoning. The Apostle Paul wrote often about being in this battle. In Romans 12:2 he penned these words.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

One of the unfortunate things about being human is that we believe that we know better than God, or His Word. We all too often put our experiences and what we think God should be or do, ahead of what God says He is. You may be saying, “So what you are telling me is that to know who God is I must trust what the Bible says over what science says, over what other religions proclaim, over what the culture says, and over my own experiences?”- YES! If we don’t have faith in what God says in His Word about Himself and use that as our standard of who God is, we’re in trouble.

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

Unless I know God, on a personal level, I don’t know who God is. Therefore, I feel no need to obey what He says in His Word. Many people today claim that they know God, yet their lives are full of contradictions. Sure they know about Him, yet they refuse to honor Him as the Almighty. Paul wrote about this very thing in Romans 1:21-23, The battle of Faith vs Human Reasoning

“For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.”

Truly knowing who God is should translate into obedience to His Word. In Exodus chapter five we read the story of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and Moses. Moses arrives on the scene and his first words to Pharaoh were…

“Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.” Exodus 5:1

Pharaoh’s response was very telling,

“But Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and moreover, I will not let Israel go.” Exodus 5:2

Pharaoh knew of the LORD, for he had millions of slaves who worshiped and prayed to the LORD. Yet Pharaoh did not know who God was personally. Thus his insistence on not obeying His Word. Knowing who God is in a personal way changes hearts and actions. Our love for Him, which stems from our relationship with Him compels us to obedience. Today, do you know who God is, or do you just know about Him? Your response to His Word is the proof.