Rather, in the context of the false teachers who had turned away from the faith, Peter means that if you are diligent to grow in godliness and thus confirm your calling and election, you will not turn away from God and commit apostasy as the false teachers had done (Thomas Schreiner, The New American Commentary, 1, 2 Peter, Jude [Broadman & Holman Publishers], p. 305). And then, according to verse sixteen above, when you increase in knowledge, multiplication and increase in all of the other areas of your life are inevitable. He shed His blood on the cross to purify you from your sins. It was as if the Lord was saying to me, You focus on being as faithful and godly as John Spurgeon and leave it to Me as to whether you become as influential as Charles Spurgeon! Peter is telling us, Focus on growing in godliness and you will be fruitful in your Christian life., When Peter says, in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, is he talking about growing to know Christ more deeply as you grow in godliness, or is he talking about coming to know Christ at the point of conversion as the basis for growing in godliness? In Hosea, God harshly admonished and punished the Israelites for not paying any attention to Him and forgetting His law. It includes things like a teachable spirit, a willingness to listen, a desire to discover what is really there. Solomon said, Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body; but that doesnt mean education is useless. This means that we shall be weaned away from earthly and temporal things, for which we may be very grateful but which will always disappoint, and we shall find our true satisfaction in the Lord Himself, who never changes and who will never disappoint (Hebrews 13:8). As you learn more about His character, His promises and His plan for salvation of mankind, you will grow in your spiritual maturity. (2 Peter 3:15). Do a sign [that] benefits me, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame, because you, O Yahweh, have helped me and comforted me. You can gain knowledge by reading a book on becoming a better homemaker or how to cook the best apple pie, but when you read the Bible, you gain wisdom that will strengthen you, give you peace, give you joy and equip you to face lifes difficulties. This word describes our ability to observe, gain insight, and then discern in order to devise a plan or make a decision. When we read the Bible and see so many of the promises of God, we are comforted to know how very much He loves us and will see us through. Learn how your comment data is processed. 6) The Bible as the Word of God touches on every dimension of human experience. The Hebrew term for knowledge is based on the verb yada, to know. This is understanding with insight. Certainly, daily Bible reading, study, and meditation are a good starting point. 5) Simple academic knowledge of God is not the goal but is the means to the goal. Our salvation is totally from God. We cannot even begin to discuss the wonders of King Solomon after God gave him wisdom and understanding in 1 Kings 3: 12. look up Psalm 107:2 and John 3:14-15. When we put on the armor of God, through reading scripture, we become enabled to battle and are strengthened through God and His Word. God gives wisdom, and we see in Daniel 1:17-20 that the king found Daniel and his friends to have wisdom and understanding that were ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers in his entire realm. The Bible is filled with the benefits that come to us as we grow in the knowledge of God and His Word. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. Jesus also said in John 14: 23, If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him., Wisdom is life. This is not to say that salvation is by works, but rather that genuine salvation always results in a life of growing godliness. Jesus Christ is the power and wisdom of God (, Wisdom dwells in the heart of him that has understanding, according to, Wisdom, being understanding, also dwells in the mind and heart as we learn from Gods conversation with Job in the book of, Understanding what is right and just and fairevery good thing, Discretion will protect you, and understanding will keep you to deliver you from the way of evil, You will walk in the way of goodness and keep the paths of righteousness, You will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones, Riches and honor; enduring wealth and prosperity, Will build, establish and fill a house with precious and beautiful treasures, You will have hope that cannot be cut off, Wisdom will brighten your face and change its tough appearance, Shift from the wisdom of this world and believe in biblical wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Indeed, thoughts without God are hostile to Him and a reason for sinful pride (1 Corinthians 8:1b). How can we know whether our lives are truly fruitful for Gods kingdom? The more we receive (hear, obey, live out) His Word, the more we shall know Him. Fearing the Lord is not a fear of fright but a reverence to God. There is a theoretical and an experiential knowledge of God, and it is the experiential knowledge of Him which is so vital. Guard your heart. Charles or John?, I stopped jogging and just stood there so I could think about the implications of that question. There are degrees of knowing God. My soul melts away for sorrow;strengthen me according to your word!. But here, Peter again is emphasizing that growth in godliness requires diligence. Notice that we return once that is a crisis; but we go on receiving continually that is a process. How blessed is the man who finds wisdomAnd the man who gains understanding. Be diligent is the verb related to the same noun in verse 5. Proverbs 1:7 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge," while Psalm 111:10 declares that "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom" (emphasis added throughout). It doesnt happen without deliberate, concentrated effort. For I have never eaten anything common or unclean. And a voice spoke to him again the second time, What God has cleansed you must not call common. This was done three times. You read in Romans 15:5-6 of Gods design that we are to work together as one for His glory. Church leaders like John Calvin and Martin Luther promoted education so people could understand Gods Word. 3:18). All that said, the Bible warns about a danger of knowledge. 1:3). There are a lot of mistaken notions about assurance of salvation in our day. What Bible verses remind you of the benefits of reading the Bible? I still know the meaning of sesquipedalian (a person who uses long words), erudite (scholarly), osculate (to kiss), pensive (thoughtful), and many more. True, good knowledge comes from God as a giftfrom His own mouthto those who have understanding (Daniel 2:21; Proverbs 2:6). When we understand more about who God is and what He desires for our lives, we can develop a deeper relationship with Him. But to say that those in verse 9 are not truly saved, you must say that they were never really purified from their former sins; they only claimed to be purified, perhaps through baptism. Effective verbal communication skills to communicate with a diverse client group. Your faith will hold you and sustain you. For more in-depth reading on the benefits of reading the Bible, consider these recommended books: Top 10 Reasons to Read the Bible Today: The Life-Changing Benefits of Daily Bible Reading by Wayne Davies, Living By the Book: The Art and Science of Reading the BibleHoward G. Hendricks. We believe that honor is a force and we treat each person with a level of value and respect that allows us to take the role of a servant in the relationship. Yet many Christians are being destroyed because they have a lack of knowledge of God and His Word. And I saw that wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness. For one thing, she would use the words in a humorous way, so that you had to know the meaning of the word to understand the joke. 1. What you dont know can kill you! Bible study gives us wisdom and understanding. Discover How God Wants to Use Your Weakness for Good! "But the plans of the LORD stand firm for ever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. . (John 17:17). Should we give assurance of salvation immediately after a person professes faith in Christ, or should that come later? Digging deeper into the Word and comparing Scripture with Scripturebeing careful not to take passages out of contextoften reveals truth that is missed with casual reading. Although copies and translations of Bibles are readily available, they often gather dust. It is through the Holy Spirit that we can repent of sin. It affirms how much God cares for you and brings supernatural peace and comfort to your soul. 106 Powerful Affirmations towards Your Desired Life, How to Know The Power of The Lords Prayer, The Wonderful Secrets to the Best Life in Jesus, Powerful Scriptures on Gods Will You Want to Know, Wonderful Ways to Stand Fast as a Child of God, Embrace the Most Fascinating Help You Will Ever Need. It is a supernatural knowledge that manifests as a vision, dream, thought, voice, or feeling. 19:27), Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us? Jesus replied (Matt. If this sounds familiar, it could mean that you have the gift of a word of knowledge waiting to be released, stretching out the tent of Gods Kingdom. Many Believers operate within a word of knowledge without even realizing it. Lets look at the gift of the word of knowledge, its purpose, and how to activate it. Without keeping the cross in view, you will drift into ungodly living and will waste your life in light of eternity. We become better equipped at reacting and find peace in the midst of chaos and strife. The more believers know of Gods Word, will and ways, the better they can instruct, mentor, and counsel. If you need more convincing on why you should embrace this wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, please read Proverbs, chapters 8 and 9. Wisdom belongs to God. Of all of the benefits of reading the Bible, this is one of the most personal. But what exactly does this have to do with knowledge, youre probably asking? But, does Peter mean that if you are diligent to practice these qualities you will never sin? Hes saying. Have we dealt drastically with all sin and every doubtful thing in these tents? 4:6), so that you have come to know Him, your life will show it. If we claim to follow Christ, then its important for us not only know the character of God but also how He has worked His plan through history. Keep your heart from getting hurt and from hurting others; from being defiled by sin; from being disturbed by trouble; keep out destructive emotions, thoughts, and intentions. Therefore, forgiveme of all my sins and come into my heart as my Lord and Saviour. A well-guarded heart will glorify God and edify others. Take a close look at this verse below, as an example of this. 4. 3:5, 22; Deuteronomy 1:39; Isaiah 7:15), an ability that little ones lack. We will look at assurance next. Gods Instructions for Life Are Housed in His Word. And, when we step into eternity, there will be a grand welcome! False teachers come up with their wrong doctrine to justify their immoral lifestyles. Paul desired that believers love would keep on abounding and growing in knowledge and discernment (Philippians 1:9). and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.. The people who are effective witnesses for the Lord, by life or by lip, are the people who really know Him. The gift of knowledge is the supernatural ability to impart a specific word of wisdom into a situation. Learning to walk in the Spirityielding to His controlwill also enable growth in knowledge and understanding, because the Holy Spirit is the Christians greatest teacher. In short, what motivation is there to be diligent to grow in godliness? Jesus modeled this for us. I hope with these few examples that you are eager to know the amazing benefits of having wisdom and knowledge in your life. Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. (Daniel 2:22). In our text, Peter is spelling out the benefits of growing in godliness to motivate us to persevere in the process. The children of Israel listened to Joshua and did as the LORD commanded Moses. I prayed, Lord, use me as You used Spurgeon! I didnt hear any voice, but almost instantly the thought popped into my mind, which I believe was from the Lord, Which Spurgeon? People of faith could learn from Old Testament saints mistakes. 15+ years' experience across the full HR remit. There is no need to be a weak, anaemic Christian. Repent for anything that He shows to stand in your way of moving into new levels of faith, such as doubt and unbelief. If you are a true believer, you are an heir of God and a co-heir with Christ (Romans 8:16-17). You see, only a fool thinks ignorance is bliss! We adhere to biblically based moral and ethical principles, and maintain these principles both in public and in private. The wisdom of the OT, however, is quite distinct from other ancient world views. He makes the pursuit of an understanding of Gods Word a chief business of his life.. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Godpredicted that in the last days knowledge will increase, but the knowledge of the world is not the same as biblical knowledge. Most of the Bible's verses that occur in Aramaic are in Ezra and Nehemiah, a linguistic occurrence that developed as a result of Israel's exile in Babylon. How to deal with those who have hurt you. Seek wisdom, understanding, and knowledge by searching the Bible. Peter said (Matt. But there are thousands of faithful, fruitful men and women whose names are known only to God. Forwhatever was written in former days was written for ourinstruction, that through endurance and throughthe encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.. Instead, it started with everything the Serpent saidthat Eve decided to believe., The battle of people choosing between good and bad knowledge continues throughout Scripture and to our present day. As you learn what He has taught and how to conduct yourself and your business and daily affairs and as you see How to conduct your business in an ethical, God-ordained manner, you will become more successful. Looking back, see what God has done for us in Christ. How did she do it? Look at verse 29. Copyright, Steven J. Cole, 2010, All Rights Reserved. When Satan questioned Gods commandment in Eves presence, she chose to disobey God, as did Adam (Genesis 3:1-6). The words return and receive, in verses 22 and 23 in the Authorised Version, give us the answer. Also, just as Christians can ask God for wisdom, they can also ask Him to guide them to books, sermons, podcasts, etc., that can boost their growth in spiritual knowledge. Reading the news too much? God has intellect (Romans 11:34), and His universe was created with truth and logic. It is important that we listen to God and His words. What biblical criteria are there? About. It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir. You may enjoy this brief video on the benefits of reading the Bible: What else would you add to the list? Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it,But the discipline of fools is folly. So, if winning in life is what is important to you, then youve come to the right place, because our ministry and this website, is designed to help you do just that. We will not fall away from the faith. We learn who God is. If the Holy Spirit has imparted a word of knowledge to you, know that God has and will continue to equip you with all the spiritual tools necessary to carry out your spiritual assignment. Then, after believing in Christ, through His Word we come to understand that the reason God called us to salvation is that He first chose us before the foundation of the world (Eph. All rights reserved., Posted on Published: December 27, 2021- Last updated: January 10, 2023, Reuben in the Bible: The Lost Tribe & Lessons From His Life, Who was Simeon in the Bible? Even if you are already a believer, rereading the words reminds us that He gave His only son for us to live in Him. So she came to Jerusalem to test Solomon with hard questions. Tools. 1. Knowledge forever pursues the truth. It's also the ability to speak wisely and knowingly about a situation with truth from the Bible. How much more can God deliver you and lift your burdens knowing His incredible love for you. WE SHALL BE BUILT UP Verse 23 tells us this. In 1962 and 1963, when the U.S. Supreme Court removed Bible reading from American public schools, social conservatives were overwhelmingly concerned about the moral effects. Being strengthened by the Father to face whatever life has before you. but hisdelight is in the law of theLord,and on hislaw he meditates day and night. Diligence means to get after something quickly and not hesitate. Whenever someone starts teaching weird doctrine, almost always something is wrong morally in his life. The more intimate your relationship with Jesus, the better youre your life will become. What happens when people are ignorant of the knowledge of God, and why is knowledge important for Christ-followers? Most evangelicals think that if you prayed to receive Christ, you are eternally secure and should never doubt that fact. The Bible has so much to say about knowledge, both good and bad. Photo credit: Getty Images/Prostock-Studio. I am Patience Lancelot. No doubt His growth in wisdom as a child was based on the spiritual training He had at home (Luke 2:52). Gold or glass cannot equal it,Nor can it be exchanged for articles of fine gold. Finally, Peter gives us an eternal benefit: Verse 11 explains (for) verse 10: for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. Supplied is the same word that we saw in verse 5, which meant to richly supply as a philanthropist would supply the chorus or theater. Privacy Policy | Bamboo on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. It didnt start with Eves first bite. The word of knowledge is a revelatory gift and often works in unison with other gifts of the Spirit. Whatever method you use, . While there are numerous ways that reading the Bible brings us closer to God and benefits us daily. One reason for this view is that Peter changes from the second person in verse 8 to the more impersonal third person in verse 9, but then reverts back to the second person, along with the warm brethren (the only time Peter uses that word) in verse 10. This kind of knowledge is based on personal experience with a matter. Here are some other sources and articles on the benefits of reading the Bible: Unlocking the Bible, and Bible Gateway. What Does It Really Mean That Your Body Is a Temple? He who keeps understanding will find good. Live so as to grow in godliness so that you will be a clean vessel, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work (2 Tim. Possess your possession (Obadiah 17), and you will experience perfect peace (John 14:27); fullness of joy (John 15:11); power to witness (Acts 1:8); and grace sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9). Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. I plan to live so selfishly and with such disregard for others that I will shred all of my relationships. But if you can shrug off the cross, then you arent headed for heaven. She also used the words in sentences with students names. 2 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; 3 Yea, if thou c Knowledge, he says, deals with knowing the facts. We will enjoy the assurance of knowing that God has called and chosen us as His own. For the Hebrews, wisdom (hakam) and its derivatives are the most commonly used terms denoting intelligence. Knowledge is important to know God and what He expects of us. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith. It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir,In precious onyx, or sapphire. Knowledge forever pursues the truth. But it is also clear that simply being aware of God's existence is not sufficient; the knowledge of God must encompass the deep appreciation for and relationship with Him. Chartered Member of CIPD. Q. Bible study brings strength and guidance for life. The words of a mans mouth are deep waters;The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. 16 And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the Lord. Jerehiam 3:15-16a KJV. This first couple knew intellectually about good and evil because of Gods command, but they understood good and evil experientiallyas well as the devastating consequences of their choicein disobedience. So I said, Wisdom is better than strength. But the wisdom of the poor man is despised and his words are not heeded. My prayer is that you will search them out as you continually seek to add knowledge in your life. In the present, growing in godliness will give us the joy of being useful and fruitful to the Lord, so that we dont waste our lives. Verse 27 tells us this. The original Hebrew word emphasizes accuracy and the ability to sense what But Peter said, Not so, Lord! Check your email for your free Books of the Bible Overview! The Lord, however, grants knowledge to those who have an honest relationship with him. Solomon and the wise men of Israel prized wisdom, understanding, and knowledge as crucial to living prosperously, safely, and effectively. Promises that He will be our rock, our refuge and stronghold. then look up Colossians 2:6-7 and 2 Peter 3:18. But since Peter has talked about the true knowledge of Christ in reference to conversion (1:3), I understand him here (1:8) to be saying, If you have truly come to know the Lord Jesus Christ, you will be growing in godliness and seeking to be useful and fruitful in serving Him.. You will be growing in the godly character qualities that Peter lists (1:5-7). Sign up to receive Chuck Swindoll's Daily Devotional in your inbox seven days a week.
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