THE PASSION TO KNOW GOD

ROMANS 1:28–32

Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done

(Romans 1:28).

It is almost impossible to grasp the full strength of what the Apostle is saying here. It is not simply that men are not willing to know anything about God, but rather that they prefer not to maintain epignosis, which is the Greek word for knowledge (gnosis) with an intensifying prefix (epi). We can translate it this way: That men did not see fit to seek after a full knowledge of God.

In other words, the people Paul is describing here did not see any worthwhile purpose or value in pursuing a knowledge of God in any kind of depth. Nor did they even see the value of maintaining the knowledge they already had.

Knowing God Better

The very word theology is often repugnant, and people glibly say, “I’m not interested in theology. It’s not practical.” By that, some may mean that they have an aversion to academic and scholarly research into the things of God. Certainly most people will never be academic theologians. But in its general usage the word theology simply means “the knowledge of God.”

So how is it possible for a person to be a Christian and not have a passion for theology? Apart from merely knowing things about God, such as the creeds and the doctrines, I question how a believer can not passionately want to know God or have a real understanding of who He is.

It’s not always easy

Mankind’s problem stems from our human corruption and fallenness. When a person is converted to Christ he or she is certainly changed and transformed by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, but just as Adam and Eve hid from God, we have a natural aversion to the pursuit of the knowledge of God. The basic human disposition of fallen man is to see no great value in seeking a fuller knowledge of God. Yet God desires that each of His children seek Him with a whole heart.

CORAM DEO

Are you slothful in your spiritual disciplines? The knowledge of God is a costly pursuit. What are you prepared to do to fuel this passion to know God? Consider the growth potential of a discipling relationship with a brother or sister in Christ.

TRANSITION