Getting to Know the God Who First Knew Us
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” —Romans 5:8
Even before you or I knew who the Lord was, He knew us. And in knowing us, He knew we did not know Him, His ways, His Word, or His will. Yet that did not stop Him from saving us or showing us His love. The Bible tells us in Romans 5:8 that God demonstrates His love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
So now, in this new relationship with Him, we spend time getting to know Him. Knowing Him personally, and that includes knowing His ways and His will. It is not God’s will for us to be ignorant of Him, nor the gift of His grace we have through our Lord Jesus.
A Love That Came First
Have you ever paused to consider that even before you knew who the Lord was, He already knew you? He knew your name, your story, your struggles, and your potential. He knew you wouldn’t understand His ways, His Word, or His will at first. And still, that didn’t stop Him. He didn’t wait for you to be “ready” or get your life together. He made the first move, offering a comforting reassurance that you were never a surprise to Him.
Romans 5:8 tells us that God demonstrated His love for us by sending Christ to die while we were still sinners. That means He didn’t wait for us to come to Him—He came to us.
God Knew You Before You Knew Him
Jeremiah 1:5 says, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.” God’s knowledge of us is intimate and intentional, full of purpose. And even before we ever called on His name, God, in His great love for us, knew our need for salvation and chose to extend His loving grace.
How wonderful it is to know you and I were never a surprise to God. Your past didn’t shock Him. Your doubts didn’t disqualify you. His love is rooted in who He is, not in what you’ve done.
His Love Didn’t Wait for Our Perfection
God’s love shown in His grace is not a reward for good behavior; it’s a gift given freely. Scripture tells us that “While we were still sinners” means we were still broken, lost, wandering, selfish, and living for ourselves, Christ died for us anyway. The Lord Jesus took on all our shame and guilt, even when we were unaware of Him.
God’s love and grace help us have a heart of gratitude and confidence: God’s love for us is based on His promise, not on our performance. We see God’s love and grace in Genesis 3:21. Even after Adam and Eve disobeyed God, God still provided for them. “Also, for Adam and his wife, the LORD God made tunics of skin and clothed them.”
Called Into Relationship, Not Religion
God invites each of us to draw near to Him and cultivate a personal and individual relationship with Him. God didn’t save us so that we could check all the right boxes and follow the proper sets of rules. He saved us to know Him. Jesus prayed in John 17:3, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.”
Also, we see examples of this in our personal family relationships. We don’t love our spouses or our kids based on their performance or how well they ‘get it all right’; no, we love them because of who they are. Just the same, our relationship with the Lord isn’t about striving; it’s about abiding. Abiding means to remain in a constant state of communion with God, to be present with Him in every aspect of our lives. It’s about spending time with the One who made you, saved you, and called you His own.
It’s Not God’s Will for Us to Stay Ignorant of Him
Again, in Jesus’ prayer in John 17:3, we see that it is God’s desire for us to know Him. God doesn’t want us to stay in spiritual ignorance. He wants us to grow in wisdom, love, and understanding of who He is.
2 Peter 3:18 encourages us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” The more we grow in our relationship with the Lord by spending time with Him, the more we learn about God, His ways, and His word, and the more we become like Him. This journey of growth should inspire you with joy and anticipation.
The Gift of Grace Through Jesus
Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us that we are saved by grace, not by works. Grace is more than forgiveness; it’s power. It’s the confidence and strength to live differently, to forgive freely, to walk confidently. Because of God’s grace, we are transformed in Christ Jesus and empowered to live a life of faith by the gift of the Holy Spirit in us.
Grace doesn’t just meet you where you are—it transforms you from the inside out. And the more you know Jesus, the more you experience the fullness of that grace every day.
How to Know Him More
James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” God isn’t hiding from you. He wants to be known.
Deepen your relationship with God; here are a few uncomplicated ways to start:
- Spend time in His Word daily. Start with a Psalm, a Proverb, or the Gospels.
- Talk to God in prayer. If you’re unsure how to pray, read Matthew 6:5-13, and remember that the Holy Spirit helps us pray even when we don’t know what to say.
- Worship through music, quiet time, or journaling your thoughts and prayers.
- Join a community of believers who will encourage you.
Be honest with God. Because He already knows your heart. Because of this, you can pour out your feelings, thoughts, and concerns to Him without fear. You can share your joys and your struggles, your victories and your defeats. He is always ready to listen and respond with love and understanding.
Final Encouragement: Draw Near to the One Who Drew Near to You
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)
Afterall, you were known, loved, and chosen long before you ever pursued God. That truth should fill your heart with peace and your spirit with joy. The invitation still stands: Come closer. Learn of Him. Grow in grace. Let the God who loved you first become the One you love the most.
He saw you. He saved you. Now, He wants you to know Him.
