The knowledge of God as revealed in Christ is the knowledge that all who are saved must have. This is the knowledge that works transformation of character. Received into the life, it will re-create the soul in the image of Christ.
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 Corinthians 318 (KJV)
The importance of obtaining knowledge of God
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 2 Peter 1:2, 3 (KJV)
Further more the Scripture bids us: Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace. Job 22:21.
God has commanded us – Ye shall be holy; for I the Lord your God am holy. 1 Peter 1:16. The inspired apostle declares that without holiness no man shall see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14. Holiness is agreement with God.
And how can we come into harmony with God, how shall we receive His likeness, unless we obtain knowledge of Him? It is this knowledge that Christ came into the world to reveal unto us.
Moreover, of His own life the Savior said – I have kept My Father’s commandments. John 15:10. The Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him. John 8:29.
As Jesus was in human nature, so God means His followers to be. In His strength we are to live the life of purity and nobility which the Savior lived.
The perception and appreciation of truth depends less upon the mind than upon the heart
My teaching is not Mine, said Jesus, but His that sent Me. If any man willeth to do His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it be of God, or whether I speak from Myself. John 7:16, 17.
Truth must be received into the soul. It claims the homage of the will. The truth is to be received through the work of grace in the heart. Its reception depends upon the renunciation of every sin that the Spirit of God reveals.
One’s advantages for obtaining a knowledge of the truth, will prove of no benefit to him or her unless the heart is open to receive the truth.
Furthermore, there is a conscientious surrender of every habit and practice that is opposed to its principles. To those who thus yield themselves to God, having an honest desire to know and to do His will, the truth is revealed as the power of God for their salvation.
A theoretical knowledge of the truth is essential, but such a knowledge of even the greatest truth will not save us. Our knowledge must be practical. God’s people must not only know His will, but they must practice it also.
Many will be purged out from the number of those who know the truth, because they are not sanctified by it.
The principles contained in the Word of God
In every generation and in every land the true foundation for character building has been the same – the principles contained in the word of God. The only safe and sure rule is to do what God says.
The statutes of the Lord are right, and he that doeth these things shall never be moved. Psalm 19:8; 15:5
It was with the word of God that the apostles met the false theories of their day, saying : Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid. 1 Corinthians 3:11.
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:9, 10.
Therefore, this is the knowledge that God invites His children to receive, beside which all else is vanity and nothingness.
Christ has left His Holy Spirit to be His representative in the world
The Spirit gives celestial aid to every hungering and thirsting soul.
Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Psalm 97:11.
There are many who have not had the light yet and they:
- mourn because of their human ignorance
- find nothing satisfactory
- thirst for a knowledge of the only true God
- have an ideal of God in their minds and desire to find Him
God has entrusted light to His people to give to all those who are praying for light. To such we should speak as did the apostle Paul to the Athenians: Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. Acts 17:23.
Heavenly inspiration has come to humans. They have been entrusted with gospel truth, and have thereby been given responsibility to devote their God-given powers to making God known to mankind.
Christ says: And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. John 17:3.
That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2: 2, 3.
Conclusion
Man, as now taught by men who claim to have a knowledge of the Scriptures, can never know the extent of his fallen, degraded condition. The mission of Christ only will reveal the truth as it is in Jesus.
One can know the depths to which he or she have sunk only by beholding the wondrous chain of redemption employed to draw them up. The extent of our ruin can be discerned only in the light of the law of God exhibited in the cross of Calvary.
The wonderful plan of redemption must be discerned in the death of Christ.
Prepare to meet your God
Now is our time to prepare to meet Christ. If we use it in self-gratification instead of in helping others and honoring God, we shall come up to the judgement unprepared. In that day many will plead as an excuse that they did not know that Christ’s coming was near.
But the excuse will not be accepted. They did not know simply because they did not want to know. God gave them abundant opportunity for knowing it. They closed their eyes, that they might not see and stopped their ears, that they might not hear.
The cases of all are pending in the heavenly sanctuary. In the judgement the question will not be – What profession did you make? But – What have you done for Me? What fruit have you borne to My glory?
Therefore now is the time to prepare for the coming of the King. Shall we not strive to be among that number who will welcome Christ with the words:
And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. Isaiah 25:9
References:
- AA 475; LHU 279; MH 426; RH Feb, 1898; ST, Apr, 1905; – The Ellen G. White Estate
- King James Version (KJV) Bible – BibleGateway
- Image courtesy – Pixabay
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- Experience God – His love, mercy, righteousness, and other awesome attributes of His character »
- Settle into God’s Truth – the way that you cannot be moved with eyes fixed upon the Savior »
- Victory in Christ – the wonderful possibility of being like Christ »
- Threefold message – light of the world development prior to Christ second advent »
- Salvation for everyone – he sinless One has taken your place and He has borne your guilt »
Home – God’s power to save and transform
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