“This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:3-4).
It is a timeless truth that God wants everyone to be saved, not wishing for any to perish (2 Pet. 3:9). Just as important as God’s desire for us to be saved, His desire is for all people to come to the knowledge of truth. The term for knowledge used by Paul to Timothy expresses a more thorough participation in the acquiring of knowledge on the part of the learner. It speaks of a knowledge that requires personal involvement, not only in learning the truth but also living by the truth. Paul would use it meaning such to Timothy later on, when he said, “Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth. Then they may come to their senses and escape the Devil’s trap, having been captured by him to do his will” (2 Tim. 2:24-26).
The knowledge of the truth leads us away from the snares Satan uses to trap us and take us prisoner, leading us instead to knowledge of the truth and the life it calls us to live. It is interesting Paul, while not denying the role feelings play in our lives, emphasizes knowledge of the truth leads us to repentance and salvation. So many have differing feelings about God and matters spiritual in nature, which often are in conflict. Is sincerity all that really matters to have a relationship with God, to appropriate the blood of Christ, to have salvation and eternal life? Not according to inspired Scripture. Our feelings must be conformed to what we know is true, what God has revealed as truth. Jesus said, “If you continue in My word, you really are My disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). To be freed from sin (John 8:34-35) and have a relationship with Christ, we must know the truth and continue in His word, which is truth (John 17:17). This is essential to truly being His disciple.
It’s easy to be trapped by the Devil into thinking we can build our own truth, that we can pick and choose how to live and doing so will ultimately please God. In reality, nothing is further from the truth, from real truth, the truth that saves. The truth of God revealed in Scripture isn’t what we feel it should be, but what has been revealed and stands written. If truth is simply what one wants it to be, why would Paul condemn those in the churches of Galatia for turning to a different gospel (Gal. 1:6-9)? Weren’t they just deciding what was true for them, as many do today? Instead, he points out there isn’t another gospel, just the gospel of Christ. So Jude can write we are to “contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all” (Jude 1:3). He doesn’t say “faiths,” nor does he imply it vary depending on the age or culture in which one lives.
Paul warned Timothy, “For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear something new. They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths” (2 Tim. 4:3-4). This is also true today. We must come back to Scripture, gain knowledge of the truth, and live by the truth, if God’s desire for us to be saved will be fulfilled. Jesus is the “source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him” (Heb. 5:9), and for that to happen we must know the truth. It is a lie of Satan we can be saved apart from knowledge of Scripture, apart from our living by it.
The Psalmist reminds us, “I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You” (119:11). Only the word of God “is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). Don’t say, “This is how I feel.” Don’t let someone else’s opinions guide you. Spend time in Scripture and gain the knowledge that leads to salvation. Eternal life is too important to miss, especially when access to the kingdom is so readily available. “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen” (2 Pet. 3:18).
Robert Johnson
