Does God know the unbeliever?
God does not know the unbeliever in a relational sense. Though He is in control over all things, the unbeliever has no relationship with God. By contrast, the believer is known by God as His own child, as if called by name, and is not to return to bondage of religion.
Les explains that Paul contrasts the believer's former state with the present. Before knowing God, they served those who by nature are no gods—wood and stone with no power except satanic power. But now, after knowing God, or rather being known of God, everything is different this side of the cross. The unbeliever has no relationship with God; God does not know the unbeliever for all practical purposes, though He remains in control. The believer, however, is known by God as if by name, as a born child, and is His. Les warns against turning back to the beggarly and weak elements—religion, ritual, service, attempting to appease a holy God—which is bondage. Israel's temple worship was central to Jewish life, but believers are to have none of that.
But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?