When I was young, I was somewhat ignorant of the rules my parents set for me. When they asked me to be home at 9, 8:45 starts coming around with an evening out with friends. It felt like they were trying to torture me, surely a few more minutes wouldn't open opportunities for trouble. Coming home anyway taught me a lesson, not at the time, but much later in life. As I began to love my parents deeper, obeying changed from a torturous thought, to coming home on time so that I wouldn't offend them; for they have supported me and blessed me in many ways, why hurt them? Now as time has passed, I have been put in there shoes in some ways and can see why they asked me to follow rules. It was to protect me, and help me prevent the snares of the devil in the world. After walking where they have walked, I finally understand why they loved me enough to ask me to obey, even though I was offended and didn't understand consequences fully, I became a better person for it.
So what does it mean to know God? Also, what does it mean to love God? Here is a little recipe for knowing these things.
1 John 1:6-9 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
This passage gives some principles that we can follow to know God. For all good cometh from God, and all evil cometh from the devil. In essence, all things that bring everlasting happiness comes from an everlasting God; while those things that bring temporary satisfaction, and/or cause you to defy God, comes from satan. For he desires for us to be miserable like unto himself. We must study the word of God, learn of things that bring to pass of eternal love and goodness, and live a life that God would have us live. The scripture mentions walking in the light, sometimes we may even have to change our environment to fulfill this. This could be acquiring new friends that influence you for good, staying away from places that entice sin, and walk in holy places where the Spirit of the Lord will not be hindered. We may not always understand why God asks us to do these things, it may even be a time where no foreseeable problems will come if we push our limits; but as we are exactly obedient, we will come to know one day that God gives us commandments to protect us. We will come to know God, because we see Him in us.
Which leads to the second question, How can we come to love God? One of the major battles we will fight in our lives, will be loving God more than the world. This can seem silly to some, but whenever our priorities are centered on things of the world, with the things God would have us do be in second place or further, we are loving the world more than Him. The world shouts for your attention with obvious and subtle enticement to follow temporary happiness. God on the other hand, speaks with a still small voice; and if we are not listening intently, we may miss it in the loudness of the world. Decisions to follow the world can be disguised as being an easier lifestyle, so the initial decision to follow righteousness or wickedness can be tough. But is it easier? How much easier is it to fight a constant addiction? Or to correct a mistake that was at the cost of many loved ones? Or to be separated from those you love for behavior, and left with a crowd that may not be very supportive to help you come back? So now I'll ask, how can you know God and walk in darkness? Would it be worth it to you follow commandments, that seem so tough to follow, if you don't know what blessings come for that sacrifice? How will we know God if we never learn by our own experience why He asks us to obey? How can we love God and do things that offends Him? 1 John 2:5-6 "But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."
To know God is to follow the commandments, this brings perspective to ourselves of who God really is. We will know who He is, because we will see ourselves in Him. To love God, is to follow the commandments exactly and willingly. That we may never offend Him, and trust in His words spoken with love. We will want to repent, for the sacrifice has already been paid, and we will understand that as we repent we allow ourselves to be closer to God. Love will be more than words spoken, but in our thoughts and actions. 1 John 3:18 "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
