The Rich Young Ruler (1) knew facts about God, (2) believed God exists, (3) received physical blessings from God, having owned much property, and (4) was a moral person, having kept the commandments. 

Yet, he didn't know God. 

What is knowing God?

Continuing our series in 1 John, in 2:3-27 John tells us knowing God is obeying him (2:3-6), loving others (2:7-12), and abstaining from the world (2:15-17).

Obeying: John says, "By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep his commandments" (2:3). Interestingly, knowing God is not a matter of the mind but more so a matter of the will. It is submitting to God.

Loving: John writes, "The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now" (2:9). Brotherly love is knowing God. This love is not a normal love but a love like Christ, loving people sacrificially who don't deserve it. 

Abstaining: John warns Christians to abstain from "the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life" (2:16). All of these things, lust, and pride are inside of us. We must not think "the world out there" is my biggest concern. We have a danger within.

Knowing God is not about knowing facts or even being moral people, it is about obeying, loving, and abstaining. It is only until we obey, that we will know that we know God.