What does it mean to know God?

[arunangelo]

Eternal life is to know God (John 17:3). To know Him and love Him is to obey His commandments (1John 2:3: John 14:15; 1John 2:5); and whoever says he lives in God will live just as Jesus Christ did (1John 2:6). To know God is different, from to know of Him. Even the devil knows of Him. To know Him is to be His friend (John 15:15). We must therefore remove everything that is an obstacle to our friendship with Him-which is sin. We must, therefore, repent for our sins (Luke 24:47). To repent we must be sincerely sorry for betraying God’s infinite goodness, and firmly resolve with the help of His grace to never sin again (John 8:11). It is, therefore, to start a new life. We will, therefore, remove our self from sinful situations in life and restore relationships which we have damaged by our sins. To be His friend we must also know everything about Him and have faith in it. We must therefore internalize His infinite act of love for us (in which He sacrificed His life for our sins, although we were unfaithful to Him) and love one another as He loved us (John 15:12).

 

[Coconut]

To know God is to be one with Him, that is to be born of His Spirit - or have His Spirit dwelling within. Knowing God is not something we produce, but rather knowledge His Spirit produces within us. It is all God, all the time, for there is nothing within ourselves that can produce Gods good pleasure. When we have Gods Spirit within us, we no longer desire after those things which are evil, and contrary to His spirit, so sin is no longer an issue. If our carnal nature would do evil, God within us overcomes our carnal nature with His goodness. Thats why we say ALL glory to GOD!

 

[Boanerges]

How do you know anyone?
To know God one must be born again as that is basic entrance level to the Kingdom of God. It is only here that one is indwelt with the Holy Spirit who gives us revelation in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior. Beyond that if you walk with Him, read His Word, fellowship with Him and commune with Him you will learn who He is. You will learn His likes and dislikes and your relationship with Him will grow.

From the Vines Expository Dictionary of the New Testament:
Know, Known

A. Verbs.
1. ginosko (G1097) signifies "to be taking in knowledge, to come to know, recognize, understand," or "to understand completely," e.g., Mar_13:28, Mar_13:29; Joh_13:12; Joh_15:18; Joh_21:17; 2Co_8:9; Heb_10:34; 1Jo_2:5; 1Jo_4:2, 1Jo_4:6 (twice), 1Jo_4:7, 1Jo_4:13; 1Jo_5:2, 1Jo_5:20; in its past tenses it frequently means "to know in the sense of realizing," the aorist or point tense usually indicating definiteness, Mat_13:11; Mar_7:24; Joh_7:26; in Joh_10:38 "that ye may know (aorist tense) and understand, (present tense)"; Joh_19:4; Act_1:7; Act_17:19; Rom_1:21; 1Co_2:11 (2nd part), 1Co_2:14; 2Co_2:4; Eph_3:19; Eph_6:22; Phi_2:19; Phi_3:10; 1Th_3:5; 2Ti_2:19; Jam_2:20; 1Jo_2:13 (twice), 1Jo_2:14; 1Jo_3:6; 1Jo_4:8; 2Jo_1:1; Rev_2:24; Rev_3:3, Rev_3:9. In the passive voice, it often signifies "to become known," e.g., Mat_10:26; Phi_4:5. In the sense of complete and absolute understanding on God's part, it is used, e.g., in Luk_16:15; Joh_10:15 (of the Son as well as the Father); 1Co_3:20. In Luk_12:46, KJV, it is rendered "he is...aware."
In the NT ginosko frequently indicates a relation between the person "knowing" and the object known; in this respect, what is "known" is of value or importance to the one who knows, and hence the establishment of the relationship, e.g., especially of God's "knowledge," 1Co_8:3, "if any man love God, the same is known of Him"; Gal_4:9, "to be known of God"; here the "knowing" suggests approval and bears the meaning "to be approved"; so in 2Ti_2:19; cf. Joh_10:14, Joh_10:27; Gen_18:19; Nah_1:7; the relationship implied may involve remedial chastisement, Amo_3:2. The same idea of appreciation as well as "knowledge" underlies several statements concerning the "knowledge" of God and His truth on the part of believers, e.g., Joh_8:32; Joh_14:20, Joh_14:31; Joh_17:3; Gal_4:9 (1st part); 1Jo_2:3-13, 1Jo_2:14; 1Jo_4:6, 1Jo_4:8, 1Jo_4:16; 1Jo_5:20; such "knowledge" is obtained, not by mere intellectual activity, but by operation of the Holy Spirit consequent upon acceptance of Christ. Nor is such "knowledge" marked by finality; see e.g., 2Pe_3:18; Hos_6:3, RV.
The verb is also used to convey the thought of connection or union, as between man and woman, Mat_1:25; Luk_1:34.