Good morning Family lets reflect on : Knowledge of God from 2 Peter1:2
“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.”
Day 1
Renowned African American educator, Burghardt DuBois was convinced that he could change the plight of black Americans if the truth of their condition was known, so he made careful scientific investigations and presented his thesis. But several years after his presentation nothing happened. Remorsefully he came to the conclusion that ‘the availability of truth does not mean it will be appropriated’.
The church, today, spends much of its time claiming all manner of things from God as if we are entitled and should have them. Peter’s desire was that grace -God’s activity towards man to enable him; and peace – shalom- completeness, wholeness, prosperity, blessings and victory; be multiplied! But this was not wishful thinking as Peter instructed them how it could be accomplished which is by the knowledge of God.The Greek word for knowledge has the preposition attached which means ‘towards’, ‘in the direction of’. So a knowledge that is always moving in the direction of that which it seeks to know. As our knowlege of God and Jesus Christ increases grace and peace are multiplied to us. The better we know Them the more we experience grace and peace. The only way we can gain this knowledge is by a careful and purposeful study of God’s word . So lets us forget the naming and claiming and start studying the word of God and appropriating it to our lives.
Day 2
Good morning Family, today we reflect on the purpose of having a knowledge of God.
2Peter1:3 tells us “seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us”
How can finite man come to knowledge of an infinite God? Zophar long ago asked, “Can you by searching find out the deep things of God?” (Job 11:7) It was not left up to man to discover the things concerning God but He revealed them in His word. And in knowing the word we find authority (power ) to live godly .
Chuck Swindoll listed the following six reasons why it is important to pursue knowledge of the Scriptures:
- Knowledge gives substance to faith.
- Knowledge stabilizes us during times of testing.
- Knowledge enables us to handle the Word of God accurately.
- Knowledge equips us to detect and confront error.
- Knowledge makes us confident and consistent in our walk with God.
- Knowledge filters out our fears and superstitions.
Godly living is not dependent on the binding of spirits or invocation of supernatural power but on complete obedience to the revelation of the knowledge of God’s word. Knowledge of God produces godliness in us. Let us seek to gain knowledge of God through the study of His word.
Day 3
Good morning Family, today’s encouragement ‘Be faithful to grow in the knowledge of God.
As Peter concludes his epistle on false teachers that had infiltrated the Church the charge is “Therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:17-18
We live in an age where scant regard is given to the discovery of the truth of scripture. Worst even there is complete disregard both of the hearers and the preachers of the impending judgment given by Peter for those who would perverse the word. The Apostle implores the church to be watchful and resist those who twist the word leading people astray. Peter says excuses will not stand if you fail because he has given a warning about these persons and of the consequences to those who lead and also follow. He commands against complacency and exhorts his readers to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
If we are not rooted and grounded in the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ which comes from a purposeful study and application of scripture it will be easy to be swept off our feet and loose our spiritual balance by the false teachings which swamp our culture. Lets remain faithful to growing in the knowledge of God.
Day 4
Good morning, Family.
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
Ephesians 1:17-18 KJV
Paul is praying that God would give believers a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the true knowledge of Him. What becomes clear is that to know these important truths requires God to reveal them. In Eph 4.18 he describes our previous state as , ” darkened in understanding, excluded from the life of God because of ignorance “. Sin blinds the minds of unbelievers rendering them incapable of first, understanding the truth of the gospel and second the truths of God. It necessitates God to open blinded eyes to believe in Jesus as Saviour (2 Cor. 4:4,6). Our finite minds have to be enlightened by the Spirit of God to understand the deeper truths of His word.
This prayer of Paul includes an intellectual grasp of the Scriptures. We cannot obey what we do not understand. It engages our emotions to desire relationship. This brings us into a greater submission to His will and conformity with His purpose . When we know His plans, (the hope of His calling and glory of His inheritance we become strengthened in the inner-man and will live victoriously as believers .
Psalm 19:7 reminds us that the Law (Word) of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. The testimony of the Lord is sure, making the “simple” wise. The Word of God makes us wise and formidable against false teaching.
Day 5
Good morning Family. Paul’s prayer for the believers in Ephesians 3:18-19 “may be able to comprehend…what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
These verses express the heart of Paul for his fellow believers to understand the fullness, vastness and completeness of Christ’s love . The Apostle prays because only by Divine intervention can our finite minds comprehend the great love that Christ’s gives. Such love surpasses human knowledge.
John McAuthur does a good contrast; human love lasts until it is offended. Christ love lasts despite every offense. Human love is for what it can get. Christ love is for what it can give.
Paul knows that when the child of God grasps the magnitude of this truth it will result in deep gratitude, manifested in a life yielded to the will and purpose of Christ born out of a deep sense of obligation. The book of Romans describe it as a living sacrifice which is our reasonable response to His love demonstrated through His mercies and grace. Being filled with all the fullness of God that is being under God’s complete control and emptied of self.
These are critical elements for victorious Christian life.
Paul’s prayer, then, is that we live victorious Christian lives fitting of our calling.