One Person perfectly knew God as He walked the earth. He has known God from the beginning as His Father and He gives us insight into what knowing God is all about.
When Jesus faced those who challenged His legitimacy, He sometimes bluntly said, “You don’t know God. If you knew God, you would see Me for who I am. Since you don’t know Me, you prove that you don’t know the Father.” The Father and Son cannot be separated. “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I came from God and now am here.” (John 8:42) “If you knew Me, you would know My Father also.” (John 8:19)
The path to knowing God is through the Son and when we hear Him teach and see His actions, we learn. Jesus points listeners to a Father that can be trusted. “If your heavenly Father feeds the birds and clothes the grass of the field, will He not feed and clothe you? You are more valuable than birds and grass. Don’t worry and have faith!” (see Matthew 6) Those that know God trust Him.
It should go without saying, but if someone really knows God, he or she will love Him. As Jesus approached His death, understanding the devil was at work, He stated that His love for the Father would be proven. “I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on Me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what My Father has commanded Me.” (John 14:30-31)
Interestingly, the strongest sign Jesus gives of knowing God is His obedience. “Some may talk about their great faith or how much they love God, but here’s My proof: I do what My Father tells Me.” Jesus ties love and obedience together. “As the Father has loved Me, so I have loved you. Now remain in My love. If you obey My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commands and remain in His love.” (John 15:9-10)
The one who knows God trusts, loves, and obeys. When we live this way, the Father, Son, and Spirit receive much glory.
“Jesus replied, ‘If I glorify myself, My glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the One who glorifies Me. Though you do not know Him, I know Him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know Him and obey His word.’” John 8:54-55