Like all relationships, even the most temporary ones - it starts with listening to the other person. God's word is packed full of his words and works where you can get to know God's character and nature.
Many people try to discover who God is by starting at the beginning of the Bible, then having a great argument about evolution and religion until they put the Bible down to look for other, more believable ways of getting to know God. I'd recommend starting at the other beginning of the Bible - the New Testament. Perhaps even reading the shortest of the accounts of Jesus' life - Mark's Gospel. That takes you right to the heart of Christianity.
As you read, listen to what God is saying and look at what he is doing. Ask yourself - who is God if he says this or do that? Listen also to what God is saying about us, and about you. We are right there as Jesus speaks to the Pharisees, the prostitutes, the tax collectors and the fishermen. What is He saying to you? "You find yourself being brought very low, for God talks to you about your sin, and guilt, and weakness, and blindness, and folly and compels you to judge yourself hopeless and helpless, and to cry out for forgiveness. But this is not all. You come to realise as you listen that God is actually opening his heart to you, making friends with you and enlisting you as a colleague" J.I. Packer, Knowing God.
You see - knowing God involves dealing with reality. The reality of your sin and the reality of his forgiveness of your sin at great cost to himself. That is where we see most clearly who God is and what he is like.
Bible
This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent - John 17:3
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, please help me to be honest with myself and with you about who I am - a sinner in need of forgiveness. As I confess my sin to you, please reveal to me who you are - the gracious God who forgives my sin at great cost to himself. I praise you for your son. Amen
Regards
Kruger
Many people try to discover who God is by starting at the beginning of the Bible, then having a great argument about evolution and religion until they put the Bible down to look for other, more believable ways of getting to know God. I'd recommend starting at the other beginning of the Bible - the New Testament. Perhaps even reading the shortest of the accounts of Jesus' life - Mark's Gospel. That takes you right to the heart of Christianity.
As you read, listen to what God is saying and look at what he is doing. Ask yourself - who is God if he says this or do that? Listen also to what God is saying about us, and about you. We are right there as Jesus speaks to the Pharisees, the prostitutes, the tax collectors and the fishermen. What is He saying to you? "You find yourself being brought very low, for God talks to you about your sin, and guilt, and weakness, and blindness, and folly and compels you to judge yourself hopeless and helpless, and to cry out for forgiveness. But this is not all. You come to realise as you listen that God is actually opening his heart to you, making friends with you and enlisting you as a colleague" J.I. Packer, Knowing God.
You see - knowing God involves dealing with reality. The reality of your sin and the reality of his forgiveness of your sin at great cost to himself. That is where we see most clearly who God is and what he is like.
Bible
This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent - John 17:3
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, please help me to be honest with myself and with you about who I am - a sinner in need of forgiveness. As I confess my sin to you, please reveal to me who you are - the gracious God who forgives my sin at great cost to himself. I praise you for your son. Amen
Regards
Kruger
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