“…until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ” (Eph. 4:13).
The term that Paul uses to describe the knowledge we are to have of the Son of God is an intensive form of the Greek word for knowledge. “It expresses a more thorough participation in the acquiring of knowledge on the part of the learner. In the New Testament, it often refers to knowledge which very powerfully influences the form of religious life, a knowledge laying claim to personal involvement” (The Complete Word Study Dictionary, NT, p. 624). Paul isn’t just talking about knowing the reality of the existence of Christ, but of who He is, of His example for us, of living life in Him and the knowledge of His will that helps us grow in His image.
What do we really know about Jesus? We can answer that question, in part, by asking how much time we spend learning from Scripture. Jesus told the Jews of His day, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me” (John 5:39). We need to spend time searching the Scripture, studying the word, so we can know God and His Son, to learn the will of God revealed through Christ, and what it is God expects of us in obeying the gospel, worshiping Him, and living everyday life for Him. Without knowing what Scripture teaches, we will be subject to various other forces that influence us, most of which are based in sin. The place to begin, then, is in spending time each day in the word of God.
But this is not an end to itself. Knowing the facts of Scripture alone will never transform lives, and we must experience a transformation, from conformity to the world to living a sanctified life, if the goal of knowing Scripture is to be realized. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:2). We learn what Scripture teaches so we can practice it in everyday living. It is to be part of our conscience, its principles and precepts familiar to us, so when we face challenges in life, or temptations, or various types of decisions, we have the basis on which to decide how to respond. With Scripture in our hearts and minds, we can choose right from wrong and discern the best course of action to take (Psalm 119:11). We have to know what Scripture teaches through study if we are to gain this knowledge, but we must also apply this knowledge if it is to transform our lives. We must see where it fits in daily life experiences.
Do we have this intensive form of knowledge? Does our understanding of Scripture powerfully influence our life? Does it motivate us to personal involvement in Christian living? Paul prayed for the Christians in Philippi, “…that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (Phil. 1:9-11). A real knowledge will offer discernment, being able to distinguish the best way to live from everything else, and enable us to live in the righteousness of Christ, which glorifies God! This is truly the abundant life (John 10:10).
Too many Christians sell themselves short, trying to get by on less of a faith than they need, not enough knowledge to feed their souls, and so handicap themselves from living in the fullness of Christ. This is the siren call of Satan, as he knows such a distraction will keep us from being all we can be, and enable him to gain an upper hand in our lives. The good life comes in having a full knowledge of God, His Son, and their will for our lives, a knowledge deep enough to motivate us to live it. Make time for God’s word daily. Pray for understanding. Look for its application, and practice it. That’s what real knowledge is all about. You will be amazed at what your life in Christ will become. “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence” (2 Pet. 1:2-3).
Robert Johnson
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