Your Purpose: Part 2
- Brittany Ulman
- Jun 6
- 6 min read
Last month we considered Jesus’ words in John 17 and how they point to our purpose. The purpose of all humanity, past, present and future: know God and make Him known.
We won’t recount what we already covered, but it’s important to reiterate one thing: we all have this purpose, only some choose to fulfill it. Those who do get to express it based on how God made them and when and where He places them. Same purpose, different expressions, if you choose to accept it.
So because this is our blessed purpose, our next logical consideration should be, “What does it mean to know the Lord?”
Your Purpose: What is it to "know" God?
For one, it is not some intellectual assent which puffs one up with knowledge nor is it a casual endeavor of happenstance.
To know the Lord is to know the Good Shepherd’s voice, especially when many other voices scream for our attention and allegiance. To know the Lord is to abide in Him and believe that without Him, we can do nothing (see John 15:5). This is not a defeatist mentality, but one of great liberation.
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1, emphasis added).
“‘The thief (Satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) came that they may have life and have it abundantly’” (John 10:10, emphasis added).
“‘For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My (Jesus’) sake will find it’” (Matthew 16:25).
Those who have experienced the amazing fellowship with God know that to live for Him is gain (see Philippians 1:21) and any sacrifices made for Him are worth it. Once you taste true freedom, you cannot return to the imposters the world offers. To do so would be to return to bondage, or as Paul says in Galatians, “to submit again to a yoke of slavery.” You are bound to that which does not last and only leads one wanting for more. You are enslaved to sin (see John 8:34).
However, to know the Lord is true freedom. What it means to know Him is more complex than some Christian circles promote, but it is by no means complicated or elitist.
God Makes Himself Known
As with many things in life, we tend to over-complicate our relationship with God. Yet, He is not One to evade or hide Himself from anyone who genuinely desires Him. Regardless if you have been a staunch atheist for years, are a gambling addict or come from a long line of pastors and Sunday school teachers, God will present Himself to anyone who seeks Him.
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
John 3:16 tells us God so loved the world that He sent His only Son so that we may have eternal life. Such is the love God extends to all mankind, but it is a love only some choose to receive. The offer of forgiveness and eternal life is presented to all. Unfortunately, not all choose to accept it. It’s like the air we breathe. Everyone can access it—take it within themselves and allow it to give them life—but one can choose to hold their breath, to put a bag over their head and deny their lungs what they need to function. Such a decision ultimately leads to death.
There are no prerequisites to give you access to the air. One must simply inhale, and you have life. Spiritually, it is the same. No human can earn salvation (see Ephesians 2:8-9). Jesus Christ fulfilled all the requirements on our behalf; He lived the perfect life and bore the penalty for sins (see 1 Peter 2:24). Those who choose to recognize this truth receive eternal life; those who do not, eternal condemnation (see John 3:17-18). The question is not if air exists or if it’s good and available to all. The question is if you will recognize it and breathe it in.
Such is to know God. To humbly admit your need for Him, wholeheartedly give yourself to Him and allow Him to transform you from within. He does so through His Holy Spirit, His living Word and direct communion with Him in prayer. Just as we get to know people by spending time with them, so we get to know God through His Word and prayer. Partake of these precious gifts and prepare to witness an eternity of blessings.
Read His Breath
God Almighty has blessed us with an entire book about Him. It is literally His recorded breath (see 2 Timothy 3:16)! Though it doesn’t completely capture God—for He is infinite—it does give you far more than you could ever unpack in your lifetime. No human has ever plumbed the depths of His Word, let alone its width or all of its Author.
The question is not if air exists or if it's good and available to all. The question is if you will recognize it and breathe it in.
Allow this magnificent Word to transform you from the inside out as you unearth more of God’s loving kindness, strength and peace. Consume and meditate upon it until it writes itself in the fabric of your heart and flesh. Read it and believe its Truth in its entirety—the promises, warnings, blessings and commandments. Give way to your new identity in Christ and walk in the victory He offers. Behold the glory of the Almighty and get to know the Good Shepherd’s voice through His Word.
Sweet Time of Prayer
As you do, also spend time with God in prayer. Pour out your heart to Him and listen as He pours His heart out to you.
Almighty God invites you to talk directly with Him at all times (see Luke 18:1, Phil. 4:6)! Take advantage of this remarkable reality and listen. Again, allow Him to transform you through this intimate time with Him. He desires nothing more than to simply be with you. Lean into His gentle reminders, His loving corrections and His wise direction.
Jesus is the perfect example in the extensive time He spent with the Father in prayer. The saying goes that He ate His way through the book of Luke (He repeatedly dined with sinners and His disciples), but the bigger picture proves He prayed His way to the Cross and then up to the Father once again. And if Jesus, Himself God, devoted much of His life to prayer, what does that say about our need?
Of course there are other ways to spend time with God, such as gathering with other believers to worship Him in song or serve in His name, but never neglect the sweet, powerful time He extends to you through alone time in His Word and in prayer.
Word Nerd Moment
There are over 30 variations of words related to “know” used in the original Hebrew/Aramaic and Greek in the Bible (i.e. “know,” “known” and “knowledge”). Two are used in Peter’s second letter, “gnōsis” and “epignōsis.” The former (used in 2 Peter 1:5) is “a seeking to know, an enquiry, an investigation.” The latter (used in 2 Peter 1:2, 3 & 8) is an “exact or full knowledge, discernment, recognition;” a strengthened form of “gnōsis,” “expressing a fuller or full ‘knowledge.’” In epignōsis, there is a “greater participation by the ‘knower’ in the object ‘known,’ thus more powerfully influencing him.”
What does that mean in layman’s terms? The One and only God—the Creator of all things, the Holy God of the Bible—invites you to seek to know Him (gnōsis). When you do, He will show you more of Himself so that you can come to a fuller knowledge of Him to the point it transforms you (epignōsis).
That is what it means to know God.
Once you partake of this knowledge, you will forever be changed and cannot help but make Him known to others. You will not be able to stop yourself from telling others about His goodness. Through you, He will make Himself known to those around you.
What does that look like? Well, that’s the topic of next month’s post. Until then, spend as much time as you can getting to know (epignōsis) God. It is sure to bless and change you.
References:
Blue Letter Bible. (n.d.). Strong’s G1108. Retrieved 28 May 2025 from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1108/esv/mgnt/0-1/.
—. (n.d.). Strong’s G1922. Retrieved 28 May 2025 from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1922/esv/mgnt/0-1/.
—. (n.d.). Know. Retrieved 28 May 2025 from https://www.blueletterbible.org/search/search.cfm?Criteria=know&t=ESV#s=s_lexiconc.
English Standard Version Bible. (2001). Crossway Bibles.
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