What Do We Really Know?

"...and if any man think that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know."
1 Cor. 8:2

Be careful for knowledge because it will puff you up. Anytime the flesh is puffed up the spirit deflates. Paul warned his readers to be careful with knowledge. However, Peter prayed that believers would grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. Solomon said that the fear of God is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom. There is a danger in knowledge, and yet, there is danger in ignorance. The knowedge one is granted should cause praise and humility in Christ's Name. Knowledge gained should not cause praise for self.

The writer has often wondered what people are doing as they "contend for the faith." Are they truly contending for the faith which was delivered to them or are they defending themselves and "their faith" ? The writer left a church more than a year ago and people he "worshiped" with look down on him. He did not leave them, he left a "work of darkness" where "godliness was measured by gain." Yet others took it personally because they felt their faith was attacked. Reader, do you contend for the faith and the Deliverer of that faith or do you fight from flesh? Do you "contend" in order to demonstrate your intelligence and knowledge?

Reader, Do you have all the answers? St. Paul states, " [You] knoweth nothing yet..." When you realize how little you really know then will you know something of importance. You say, " I know the Word of God" but do you know the God of the Word? If your Bible was taken from you- where would you be? Both writer and reader should seek grace and divinely-given ability to know the God of the Word... and not only the Word of God. To know the God of the Word is to be humbled, and to know only the Word of God is to be "puffed up."
Abraham knew only the God of the Word and he is called our father! Abraham saw Christ and rejoiced! Paul was an Hebrew of the Hebrews, a Pharisee of the pharisees. He was taught by the great Gamaliel, and after he came face to Face with God- he counted all his knowledge as dung!

Does this writer suggest that knowledge is not good? God forbid! Give yourselves to reading. Spurgeon said he was addicted to study. Pink and Edwards studied 12-13 hours a day. Paul told Timothy to bring him certain items and added don't forget the books. The writer is far from telling you not to learn. Read, read and read some more. Read all you can get your mind around and expand your reading. J.C. Ryle said he found light where he expected darkness, and darkness where he expected light. Read Wesley on prayer, but avoid him on theology. Read C.S. Lewis, and prove all things, keep that which is good and discard that which is unsound. Read Augustine on election, but avoid his teachings on baptism. Take Lloyd Jones' advice and "read Pink"... [carefully]. The writer suggests other authors in his profile. But above all, read the Holy Ghost-breathed scriptures, and look for God through His gracious dealings with some men and His justice in the lives of others.

Thank God for all the knowledge He gives you and ask Him for humilty in receiving it. In His Light you shall see light (Ps.36). Look to Him.

Buried in Christ,
St. Loder