These words are written by someone who did know God -
not just intellectually
and not just a fantasy emotional relationship.
May his words awaken you to
search sincerely anew, and if God so wills,
to find Him.
Pastor Roland
II. OF THE NECESSITY OF KNOWING AND LOVING GOD.
It is not astonishing that men do so little for God and that the little
which they do costs them so much. They do not know Him; scarcely do
they believe that He exists; and the impression they have is rather a
blind deference for general opinion than a lively and distinct
conviction of the Divinity. They suppose it is so, because they do not
dare to examine, and because they are indifferent in the matter, their
souls being distracted by the inclination of their affections and
passions for other objects; but their only idea of Him is of something
wonderful, far off and unconnected with us. They think of Him as a
stern and powerful Being, ever making requisitions upon us, thwarting
our inclinations, threatening us with great evils, and against whose
terrible judgment it behooves every one to be on his guard. Such is the
inward thought of those who think seriously about religion, and their
number even is small enough. "He is one who fears God," say they; and
in truth such an one fears only, but does not love; as the child is in
awe of the master who punishes him, or as the servant is in dread of
the blows of one whom he serves from fear, and of whose interests is he
utterly regardless. Would he like to be treated by a son or a servant
as he treats God? It is because God is not known; if He were known, He
would be loved. God is love, says the apostle John (1 John iv. 8, 16);
he who loves Him not, does not know Him, for how could we know love
without loving it? It is plain, then, that all those who have hitherto
only feared God, have not known Him.
