Loving God and Knowing Him 1 Corinthians 8:3

Paul the apostle shared with the church members in Corinth, “if any man think that he knows any thing, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know”, and in chapter eight and verse three of First Corinthians, he told them what happens, “if any man love God” where we read:

But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

The verse begins, “But if any man love God, ...” Paul began with the word, “But” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “if any man” or “whoever” “loves” which means “welcomes, entertains, is fond of, is well pleased and unconditionally loves” “God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Paul referred to and set forth a condition for the person who truly “loves” “God”.

The verse goes on to say, “... the same is known of him.” Paul added the words, “the same” or “this very one” “is known” which means “are learned, have knowledge of, perceive and understood” “of him” or “by God”. When a person “loves God”, that person is “known” intimately in a relationship with God.

When we think through these words from Paul, we see the importance of having “God” Almighty as the one whom we “love”. Those who “love” God are “known” intimately by Him and have a relationship with Him. Let us keep in mind that Paul inserted this idea in the midst of sharing about “idols”. “Idols” are “false gods”, and those who “sacrifice” unto them are expressing their “love” and “commitment” to them. God desires for us to “love” Him through His Son Jesus Christ, and when we do, we become intimate with Him as His children. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” (John 1:12).

Next time Paul shares with the church members concerning, “the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.