Category: Knowledge

Philippians 1:9-11

This prayer of Paul is interesting in that it is on behalf of the Christians at Philippi, and expresses his desire for their continued growth.

He prays for their love to “abound more and more”, but notice how the apostle links love to knowledge and discernment. Why is it that love must be with discernment? So that “you may approve the things that are excellent.”

In our day, love is undiscerning, and tolerant even of error and evil. When evil is tolerated by God’s children, it has the unhappy effect of compromising purity and godliness. It is Paul’s desire that the Philippians (and we) be “sincere and without offense.” In order for that to happen, discernment had to accompany their (and our) love.

We must avoid being influenced to evil. Christians should be careful to develop sufficient knowledge of what God approves, that we might instead be “filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Christ.”

1 Corinthians 8:1

“Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.” Someone might, in reading this statement, think that Paul was “anti” knowledge. This is certainly not so. Paul does not condemn, or even minimize, the value of knowledge. Rather, he here condemns certain attitudes that can be present in those who have knowledge.

If it is not tempered by love, knowledge can cause a man to be prideful and dismissive of others. This was the case with regard to the eating of meat offered up to idols. Some knew such was acceptable to God, and as a result were dismissive of their weaker brethren who did not have that knowledge. Rather than refraining from eating, to protect their brother, they instead were willing to risk their brother’s eternal welfare as they flaunted their superior knowledge of God’s will. Such is antithetical to Christ’s cause (vs. 12-13). Love must temper our knowledge!

In 1 Chronicles 28, King David called all of the leaders of Israel, (captains, stewards and men of valor), to himself, and explained to them that Solomon had been chosen by God to follow him on his throne, and to build the temple. He told them that God had promised to establish Solomon’s kingdom “forever”, “if he is steadfast to observe My judgments and My commandments, as it is this day” (vs. 7).

In verses 8-10, he first addressed the leaders of Israel, and then Solomon, enjoining them to seek God and His will. Notice the passage:

Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God, be careful to seek out all the commandments of the LORD your God, that you may possess this good land, and leave it as an inheritance for your children after you forever. 9 As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. 10 Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it.

The phrase “be careful to seek out all the commandments of the Lord your God” is especially instructive to us.

Continue reading “Seeking the Lord” →

Bill Crews’ sermon notes the passage from Isaiah 55:6-11, indicating that God’s wisdom and will are beyond man’s knowledge, outside of His revelation to us.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

The second in Peter’s list of attributes to be added to our faith, (cf. 2 Peter 1:5-11), is “knowledge.”

The English term knowledge is derived from the Greek (gnosis). It is defined by Vine as “primarily a seeking to know, an enquiry, investigation. Denotes, in the N.T., knowledge, especially of spiritual truth. (Vol. 2, page 301).

Continue reading “Knowledge” →