Order of Operation: Knowledge

 

 

2 Peter 1:5-7 gave us a list of steps we need to take after we’ve come to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. The previous blog discussed goodness, the first thing we must add to our faith. As soon as we choose Jesus, we should seek to do the right thing, and with the Holy Spirit inside of us, we can work towards that immediately upon being saved. However, that is just a start. If we truly want to grow, we have to come to a true understanding of what God wants from us, and that requires seeking knowledge. As Paul said to the church in Philippi in one of his letter:

 

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. – Philippians 1:9-10

 

Greater knowledge can enable us to better navigate our paths without falling victim to the obstacles of sin. Think about traveling in a normal sense. Suppose we wanted to travel from Miami to New York City. We all know we’d need to travel north. If we had a compass, we’d always know what direction was north. However, a compass alone wouldn’t get us to our exact destination. If we knew nothing about NYC, how could we know when we had arrived or were in the vicinity? Worse if obstacles during our trip took us off course, we’d have no idea how to correct ourselves. If we wanted to be absolutely sure that we made it to NYC, we’d also need the information provided to us by a map. The Holy Spirit is like the compass. It always points us in the right direction, towards our destination, accordance with God’s will. But, if we don’t have a good concept of what God’s will is, how could we truly know where we are in relation to that destination? Just like if we were traveling in the natural world, we need a map for our spiritual journey.

 

The Bible is that map. In fact, it is better than a map. While a map still requires some manner of interpretation to plot the best course. The Bible contains directions straight from God. Paul speaks on the word of God in one of his letters:

 

We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God’s word, which is also at work in you believers. – Thessalonians 2:13

 

The New Testament, in particular, consists largely of the Gospels and letters written by God’s chosen apostles. The writers were human, but they were inspired by God. As such, the Bible provides all the information that we need to reach the state of being what God wants for us. When we seek out that information and take it in, it becomes the knowledge that we can turn to when we face the trials of life. When it is time to make the good and right decisions, we can do so not just because of prompting from the Holy Spirit, but also because we know exactly what God expects from us.

 

Gaining knowledge alone is not sufficient. Remember, the purpose of gaining knowledge is to better direct our efforts to add goodness to our faith. Simply having the knowledge won’t necessarily move us away from sin. Suppose we were given directions for the trip from Miami to NYC. Those directions would represent the knowledge needed to make the trip, but if we can’t make sense of those directions than we are no better off than before. The same is true for knowledge of God’s will. For us to actually put that knowledge into action effectively, we need understanding. The Bible tells us exactly how understanding relates to avoiding sin.

 

And he said to the human race, “The fear of the Lord – that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.” – Job 28:28

 

Turning away from sin is a direct consequence of understanding God’s will. Understanding won’t come from cursory glances at the Bible. It can only be developed through a concentrated effort to seek the knowledge the Bible holds and apply it to our lives. The more we dig into the Bible, the more treasures will be found. This is especially true when we involve the Holy Spirit. Paul made this clear when discussing the teachings that he and others at the time brought forth:

 

these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. - 1 Corinthians 2:10

 

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. – 1 Corinthians 2:12

 

Those teachings to which he was referring are just a portion of the knowledge that God has given us access to through the compilation of the Bible. We are living in a great time. Despite all the problems this world may have, the accessibility of the Bible and its teachings is greater than it has ever been. The information is there, Believers and nonbelievers alike need only access it. For those who have already established their faith, taking in that information and using it to build a knowledge base will put them one step closer to reaching the state of being that God wants for all who follow him.

 

Knowledge is a gift for sure, but it comes with responsibility to God and to those around us. It is not meant merely for our own benefit but for the benefit of all. As we grow, in our own knowledge, we should do our best to spread the knowledge. However, we must be careful to do so as God intended. That means directing others to His actual word and not our perceptions of the Word. As the Bible tells us:

 

Every word of God is flawless, he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar. – Proverbs 30:5-6

 

So let’s take this gift that God has given us and use it to guide us along the path of righteousness. And when we have sufficient understanding of it, let us share it, so that others can be blessed too.

 

Chris Lawyer

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