Monday, January 30, 2012

LIVE WHAT YOU KNOW

There are things that we, as born again believers, know (Rom. 8:28; 1 Jn. 5:20); there are things we do not know, but will know when we see Jesus (Mk. 13:32; 1 Cor. 13:9; 1 Jn. 3:2); and there are things we may never know. Only God is Omniscient, and unless He reveals all to us, we cannot know everything. The Apostle Paul wrote comparing our limited knowledge to God's foreknowledge:
"For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit (Himself) maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren" (Rom. 8:22-29).
God, knowing our limited understanding, has chosen to "make up the difference." What we lack in knowledge, God has supplied by indwelling us. Jesus said:
"I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come. He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that He shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you" (Jn. 16:12-15).
Many Church members are deceived into believing they are born again Christians. "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate" (Titus 1:16). James wrote concerning the difference between knowing and doing:
"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed" (Jam. 1:22-25).
James also wrote, "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin" (Jam. 4:17).

It is not enough to know the will of God, but one should desire to do His will.

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