Recently a major telephone company said they intend to track every phone call made, message written, TV program watched, and web site its customers visit. They intend to build a file on people so that they can know them thoroughly and understand their lives. Of course, their main intention is to sell people its products and services. We’re getting used to this kind of thing from large companies, but it makes us uncomfortable.

God also tells us that He wants to know us. He said, “If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know; but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him” (1 Cor.8:2-3). Here, loveless knowledge is blamed for many problems. When we love God, the Lord loves us in return – and knows us. In Galatians 4:9 the writer scolded Christians for “turning back again to the weak and worthless elemental things” that tend to enslave people. They should do better, for, “you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God.”

The difference between a company desiring to know us and God knowing us is their view of our value. A company wants to sell; God wants to save. Those who track us want to make money; God knows us because He loves us. We want to be known by people who care about us, and that’s also God’s motivation. God’s knowledge of us is healthy. There’s an intimacy between Him and people who trust Him. He sees our intentions, flaws, cares and worries. He extends grace, forgiveness, kindness and love.

God’s knowledge of us is not to be feared. He is not irresponsible with what He knows, nor will He manipulate us for profit. He is our Father, and fathers want the best for their children.

“If anyone loves God, he is known by Him.”

Tim Johnson