2000-12-29 - Knowledge

Colossians 1:10 "so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God."

The last part of the above verse reads, "increasing in the knowledge of God." Now does this mean that we are to grow in the knowledge of things that God has revealed? Or does this mean that we are to grow in the knowledge of things that are about God, things of which God is the subject? Have you ever thought about that?

Well, I am not going to prolong the questions here because the answer is that they are the same question. Revelation from God is revelation about God. For example, the creation is a revelation from God to us, but it is also a revelation about God, as we see in Romans 1:20: "For since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made...."

The knowledge of the revelation of God can been seen in Creation, but this revelation does not reveal Christ to those who have not heard the Gospel. Have you ever thought about how many people have never heard the name of Jesus? Of course you have, but we do have the power and means to inform them in the knowledge of Christ. And may God use those of us who have heard of the message of forgiveness in Christ, to share it with those who have never known that precious message.

Some reject and mock the revelation of God and the knowledge of the Gospel. They have heard of it, but they reject it. Scripture is clear about these sorts of people: "How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?" Hebrews 2:3 Others reject the knowledge of the Gospel by their lifestyles. They know the message, but fail to follow through by denying themselves, taking up their cross, and following Christ.

Lastly, there are those who have a knowledge of the Gospel and of God and it makes a difference. Their hope is firmly founded upon Christ. They live their lives under the influence and power of the Holy Spirit. The more knowledge they gain, the more they are encouraged to continue to grow in grace. This is the sort of person we should all seek to become like. As 2 Peter 3:18 says, "but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." And this is just the start, because not only do we need to grow in our knowledge, but also in our application of it to our lives and hearts. May God grant us the wisdom and discipline to pursue the knowledge of God and the application of it in all we do.

Soli Deo Gloria,
T-

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