Knowing God Better: A Call to Deeper Relationship

We’ve all pondered the question at some point: If you could meet anyone, alive or dead, who would it be? Maybe you chose someone influential, someone funny, or someone whose life and work inspire you. Now, imagine meeting the Creator of everything—God himself. What would that relationship look like? Would it be transactional or transformational?
 
This question is at the heart of the recent message from Preston Trail. Drawing from Ephesians 1:15–23, we explored why knowing God better isn’t just a spiritual exercise but a transformative journey that leads to abundant life, both now and in eternity.

Despite its importance, many of us resist deepening our relationship with God. Why?

• Misconceptions About God: Experiences like harsh preaching, misunderstandings of Scripture, or negative portrayals of God can create a distorted view of his character.
• God’s Seeming Unknowability: Unlike human relationships, we can’t physically see or touch God, which can make him feel distant or abstract.
• Fear of Surrender: Knowing God often requires admitting that we’re not in control—a challenge for those of us who value independence.

In Ephesians 1:15–23, Paul prays for the believers to grow in their knowledge of God. This isn’t just intellectual knowledge but a deeply personal and experiential understanding. He outlines three key areas where this growth occurs:

1. The Hope of Our Calling
   Paul reminds us that our calling isn’t just about salvation—it’s an invitation to live a life of purpose and service. When we embrace this calling, we experience the fullness of life that God intended and come to know him more intimately through our participation in his work.
2. The Worth of God’s Inheritance
   Astonishingly, Paul describes believers as God’s inheritance. This means that we are precious to him, a treasured possession that reminds him of his Son’s sacrifice. Understanding this truth reshapes how we view ourselves and motivates us to draw closer to the One who sees us as his beloved.
3. God’s Incomparable Power
   The power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us today. However, this power goes unnoticed unless we step out of our comfort zone—our “circle of self-sufficiency.” It’s in moments of vulnerability, when we face challenges beyond our control, that God’s power becomes most evident.

One of the sermon’s most powerful insights was the danger of living within the boundaries of self-reliance. When we play it safe, relying solely on our abilities, we miss the opportunity to experience God’s transformative power. Whether it’s through mission work, sacrificial giving, or building new relationships, stepping outside our comfort zone allows us to grow in faith and see God at work.

Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians is as relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago. The invitation to know God better is open to all of us, regardless of where we are on our spiritual journey. It’s an invitation to abundant life, to a deeper understanding of our worth, and to a relationship that transforms us from the inside out.

As we reflect on this message, let’s challenge ourselves to step outside our circle of self-sufficiency, embrace our calling, and open our hearts to the incredible power and love of God. Knowing him better changes everything.