Ellen Chat Conversation

# Knowing God: The Foundation of True Christianity Ellen White taught that knowing God is not merely an intellectual exercise, but the very foundation of all true spiritual life and service. She emphasized that "a knowledge of God is the foundation of all true education and of all true service. It is the only real safeguard against temptation. It is this alone that can make us like God in character" (MH 407). This knowledge transforms everything—our character, our service, and our eternal destiny. ## The Nature of Knowing God The knowledge of God that Ellen White described is deeply experiential and relational. She wrote that "the knowledge of God as revealed in Christ is the knowledge that all who are saved must have. This knowledge works transformation of character" (TT 250.3). It's not enough to know *about* God; we must know Him personally through experience. This experimental knowledge comes through faith and personal encounter with God's word and promises. As she explained, "through faith they will come to know God by an experimental knowledge. They have proved for themselves the reality of His word, the truth of His promises. They have tasted, and they know that the Lord is good" (8T 321). This is knowledge that comes from testing God's promises and finding them true in daily life. ## How We Come to Know God Ellen White pointed to several pathways for knowing God. First and foremost, "the knowledge of God is obtained from His word" (8T 63). The Bible is God's primary revelation of Himself to humanity. She emphasized that we should "regard the Bible as the voice of God speaking directly to him" (TT 250.3). Beyond Scripture, God reveals Himself through nature. She beautifully described how "the green fields, the lofty trees, the buds and flowers, the passing cloud, the falling rain, the babbling brook, the glories of the heavens, speak to our hearts, and invite us to become acquainted with Him who made them all" (SC 85). Nature constantly speaks to our senses, revealing God's love and glory. ## The Character of the God We Know Understanding who God truly is matters deeply. Ellen White quoted Jeremiah to show what should be our greatest glory: "Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord" (TM 258). God delights in loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness—this is His character. She also emphasized God's unchanging nature: "When will men learn that God is God, not man, and that He does not change?" (14MR 155.1). His Word is life and "will abide forever. Through all eternity it will stand fast" (14MR 155.1). ## The Results of Knowing God This knowledge produces profound transformation. Ellen White taught that "the experimental knowledge of true godliness, found in daily consecration and service, ensures the highest culture of body, mind, and soul" (8T 63). When we truly know God, it affects every dimension of our being. Furthermore, knowing God properly changes how we relate to Him. She noted that "without a positive concept of God and what he wishes to do for them, children relate to their church and to God out of fear or shear duty rather than admiration. Religion becomes oppressive, and it is eventually rejected" (PCP 45.3). True knowledge of God leads to relationship based on love and admiration, not mere duty or fear. Most importantly, knowing God is essential for salvation and for becoming like Him. We must know Him as He reveals Himselfin order to "be co-workers with God, in order to become like Him and to reveal His character" (MH 407). This knowledge alone can make us like God in character and is "the only real safeguard against temptation" (MH 407). --- 💡 **You might also want to explore:** • What did Ellen White say about how Christ reveals the Father's character? • How does knowing God protect us from deception and false teaching? • What practical steps did she recommend for growing in our knowledge of God through daily devotion? --- 📚 **hundreds of passages found** containing these search terms — [Explore in Full-Text Search](/advanced-search?q=Knowing+God%27s)