Saving Knowledge of God
The Saving Knowledge of God
Anyone can see a vast difference between a true Christian nation, and one that is over-run with idolatry, superstition, non-belief, and error. The knowledge of God is of great importance to our personal and private happiness. It throws a luster upon greatness, and gives honor to poverty. It gives a person the skills to advise and instruct others. So it is said that a Christian is, "the light of the world."
Pro.1:7, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge."
Job 28:28, "the fear of the LORD, that is understanding."
The knowledge of God can be understood as the fear of God, and/or, the whole of His word. In the Hebrew, "To fear God," means, to revere, or worship God. It implies not only to have a mental knowledge, but includes the worshiping of Him, and reverence of Him, this flows as running water from that knowledge.
There is a knowledge of God that many incorrectly theorize only in the belief of his existence, and of the acknowledgment of His perfections. But to believe that God exists, and the knowledge that a person has concerning God, may have no direct influence, or impact on that persons heart, and may not effect the way they live.
A spiritual saving knowledge of God, should be coupled with a feeling of reverence for Him.
1. Ps.89:7, This points to the power of God. "Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them."
2. Zech.9:17, His grace, with His glory go hand in hand before us. "For how great is His goodness, and how great is His beauty!"
3. Ps.9:10, "And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee."
Search the Scriptures, for Scriptural knowledge will invoke the power of the Holy Spirit in you.
1 John 1:3, "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ." Christian fellowship, coupled with doing the work of the Father and Son.
Also, the knowledge of the Father, and Son may be considered in their Love, faithfulness and power to believers. Jesus Christ is our Everlasting Father, Isa.9:6, "His (Jesus) name shall be called the everlasting Father,") it is He who cares for us.
Further knowledge of Jesus Christ, can be seen in the following. This concerning His dignity.
1 John 5:20, "And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us and understanding, that we may know Him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life."
Jesus satisfies and fulfills each the following offices. Heb.9,
He is our High Priest.
He is a more perfect Tabernacle, one not made with hands.
He was a Lamb sent for an offering.
He is our Mediator of the New Testament.
The knowledge concerning the perfection of Christ's work.
Ps.68:18, "Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou has received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them."
We are to be as the brightness of His example.
Acts 10:38, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him."
The superiority of Jesus Christ's intercession.
Heb.7:25, "Wherefore He (Jesus) is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God (the Father) by Him (Jesus,) seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them."
Concerning the Holy Ghost. His offices is that of an Enlightener, Comforter, Witness, is identified with us, sanctifies us, and He directs the Church.
1. 2 Cor.3:17-18, "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."
2. John 3:5-6, Jesus said, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit (Holy Spirit) is spirit."
3. Rom.8:16, "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God."
The knowledge of God may be known by our own personal trials.
2 Tim.1:12, "For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."
The knowledge of God may be confiding.
Job 13:15-16, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him: but I will maintain mine own ways before Him. He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him."
The knowledge of God may be loving and tender.
1 John 3:19, "And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him."
The knowledge of God may be influential.
1. Matt.5:16, Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
2. Ps.9:16, "The LORD is known by the judgement which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hand,"
The knowledge of God may be self-abasing, that is, humbling, by the consciousness of guilt, or shame.
1. Isa 6:5, Isaiah upon seeing the LORD said, "Woe is me! for I am undone; (destroyed) because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips:"
2. Job 42:5-6, "How excellent is thy loving kindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings."
3. Solomon is speaking of the understanding of God, "Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace."
The knowledge of God, is superior to all other knowledge.
Phil.3:8, "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung (something worthless) that I may win Christ."
As a Christian it is a great advantage to have a saving knowledge of God, in that it forms the basis of our honor and of our joy. If a person is born of royal blood, has vast wealth, many titles, has power and authority, none of these can give honor to their soul. Why? because, he will not have become clean in his heart or in his spirit.
This knowledge can be compared to physical light, for it is one of the great creations of God, both glorious and beautiful to our eyes and in our hearts.
The many branches of human endeavor and labor as science, medicine, politics, literature, etc., are only for today, and will not survive the mighty day of the Lord. But the knowledge of God will take us into eternity.
In order to increase in God's knowledge, a person must,
Depend on the Lord from whom all light proceeds.
James 1:6, "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed."
We must be aware of His revealed will, John 5:39, "Search the scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."
We must have a watchful spirit against corruption and the many vices that sin offers.
Luke 21:34, "take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, (excessive eating) and drunkenness, and cares of life, and so that day come upon you unawares."
We must remain humble in mind and spirit.
Ps.25:9, "The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way."
We must remain in frequent meditation.
Ps.104:34, "My meditation of Him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD."
We must strive to a conformity to the Lord's image.
Hosea 6:3, " Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come into us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth."
Hopefully you may understand the advantages of having the Lord's words in your hearts. We are to meditate on His word, we are to be holy, for He is Holy. Compare the following three things.
1. A Lampstand, this symbolizing the body (the Church).
2. The oil, this symbolizing the word of God.
3. The torch to light the wick. This represents the wonderful and glorious works of the Holy Spirit on/in believers.
At times our view of things becomes obscure, imperfect, partial, or may even be full of errors. But the day we arrive at the foot of God's throne, the clouds that shadowed our understanding will be removed. We shall then behold with amazing clearness, the attributes, the ways, and wonderful works of our Lord Jesus Christ. We shall perceive with clarity, the design of His dispensations, and we shall fully understand the wonders of his patience, grace, judgements, and the thousands of other glorious works of His hand.
Thank you,
Phillip LaSpino www.seekfirstwisdom.com