Text: Colossians 1:9-10, 1John 2:4, 1John 4:7-8
A. Knowing God through knowing His Will.
Some claim to know God, but they do not know His will (Mat 7:21-23).
Peter knew Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Mat 16:15-16), but did he really know God (Mat 16:21-23)?
To know God is to know His will (Col 1:9-10).
Peter subsequently understood the importance of knowing the will of God (Act 10:28).
Therefore, he exhorts us to desire the knowledge of the Word of God (1Pe 2:2).
B. Knowing God through keeping His commandments.
Some claim to know God, but they do not keep His commandments (Tit 1:16).
Peter knew Jesus as “Master and Lord” (Joh 13:6,9,13), but did he really know God (Mar 14:50,66-72)?
To know God is to keep His commandments (1Jo 2:4).
Peter subsequently understood the importance of keeping the commandments of God (Act 5:27-29).
Therefore, he exhorts us to grow in the Christian graces (2Pe 1:5-8).
C. Knowing God through loving the brethren.
Some claim to know God, but they do not love the brethren (1Jo 2:9-11).
Peter knew Jesus as the “beloved Son” of God (Mar 9:5-7), but did he really know God (Mar 9:31-34)?
To know God is to love the brethren (1Jo 4:7-8).
Peter subsequently understood the importance of loving the brethren (1Pe 5:13).
Therefore, he exhorts us to love one another with a pure heart fervently (1Pe 1:22).