Knowledge Foremost and First

“May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.  For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,  and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,  and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ… 

“Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have.”

“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 Peter 1:2-8,12; 3:18

Through the knowledge of God and the Savior Jesus came salvation, and multiplied grace and peace. Through the knowledge of Him came the power that grants all things pertaining to life and godliness, along with the call to His glory and excellence. Knowledge of the Lord is foremost in helping His children grasp His precious and very great promises and partake of His divine nature. And continually adding to knowledge is paramount for continuing responsibilities. Owning truth is vital, and remaining established in it is key to a virtuous, fruitful life.

We want knowledge, we hunger for it, search and explore and ingest it. As Christians, by faith we receive God’s knowledge as life-giving truth that saves and transforms. But we’re never meant to stagnate in a state of standing. Knowledge is never meant to increase for its own sake. Rather, God bids us to keep partaking and making every effort to grow, put it to use, increase in Christ-like qualities, and so effectively spend our days.

Have we limited our knowledge of the Lord, dismissing deep study because we’ve done our church or class duty in the past? What are we regularly and practically doing to increase our knowledge of God through His word and experiential practice? Who recognizes growing Christlikeness in us? With whom do we share His life-changing truth?

“Lord, speak to me that I may speak
In living echoes of your tone.
As you have sought, so let me seek
Your erring children, lost and lone.

Oh, lead me, Lord, that I may lead
The wand’ring and the wav’ring feet.
Oh, feed me, Lord, that I may feed
Your hungry ones with manna sweet.

Oh, teach me, Lord, that I may teach
The precious truths which you impart.
And wing my words that they may reach
The hidden depths of many a heart.

Oh, fill me with your fullness, Lord,
Until my very hearts o’erflows
In kindling thought and glowing word,
Your love to tell, your praise to show.

Oh, use me, Lord, use even me,
Just as you will, and when, and where
Until your blessed face I see,
Your rest, your joy, your glory share.” ~Frances Havergal (1872)

Amen!