How are we to know God, and once we know him, how are we to increase in the knowledge of God? He will reveal himself through:
Sight – Romans 1:18-28. One of the first ways that God reveals himself to us is in creation. “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” Notice in this passage that they knew God but did not like to retain God in their knowledge. So, God gave them over to a reprobate mind.
Salvation – Romans 1:16-17; John 17:2-3. When you get saved, you have eternal life and you know the only true God, and Jesus Christ. This is your first intimate knowledge of God. In salvation, you know not that he is God, which is what you know by sight, but that he is your God.
Spiritual growth – Colossians 1:9-12; 10:3-6. As you grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, you increase in your knowledge of him. As strongholds are cast down, God is exalted, and your knowledge of him increases. The more you know him, the more you want to know him.
Scripture – 1 Cor 2:10-16; Ephesians 4:11-13. God reveals himself to you through the scripture. As the Holy Spirit teaches you the scripture, you increase in your knowledge of God. You know his thoughts and his ways that are revealed to you. You know his words and what they tell you about him.
Suffering – Philippians 3:10-12. Suffering is not to destroy you, but rather to strengthen you (1 Peter 5:10). Through suffering, God reveals himself to you. That’s why Paul was willing to suffer so that he could know God in a way that was greater than he already knew him. We always know more about God in the valley then we do on the mountaintop.
Saints – 2 Cor 4:6. Finally, God reveals himself to others through us. As the light of the gospel shines in our hearts, we give “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” When people, who want to know God, see that you know God, they will willingly listen to you tell them how they, too, can know God.
Conclusion: if you don’t know the Lord as your Savior, yet, you can know him today through the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. I f you are already saved, now you know how you can increase in the knowledge of God.