John 7:17 says, "If any man will do his will, he
shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of
myself."
To me, this is the foundation of deep, real knowledge. I don't know what Jesus really said that day, but I have felt to infer that a knowledge of God can be gained only through a completely sincere effort at doing his will.
His will is that I love him. That's all. Just love him.
Because of my weakness and fallen nature, I need it broken down a bit more. God has obliged.
I love God when I follow his guidelines exactly. I love him when I love others. I love him when I serve others. I love him when I demonstrate dedication, integrity, and optimism. I love him when I give him credit and when I am humble.
As a direct result of my sincere efforts in doing the above (at some times much better than other times), I have confirmed personally that the blessings promised in the scriptures are real. I have had moments of pure knowledge whose transcendent power and reality I can never forget or deny. God has lighted my soul with a sure witness greater than all else: He lives. He knows and loves me such that he sent his Son to suffer all for me, that I might live, know, and love.
I have proven his will. I know that the doctrine embodied in the life of an otherwise undistinguished Galilean mortal many hundreds of years ago came from the most supreme of beings--the real, Eternal Father of my spirit.
