Last Words - almost Part 10

Last Words – almost Part 10

Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.   (2Pe 1:5-7)  ESV

Ahhh – knowledge – In theological and philosophical circles a very tired word.  It has been dissected and discussed and explained – ad infinitum.  Can we KNOW?  How do we KNOW? Do we really KNOW?  Want answers?  Get, The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God (A Theology of Lordship) by John M. Frame and hang on.

But we’re just going to accept that through the agency of the Holy Spirit – our regeneration and redemption we KNOW.

 γνωσιν; γνῶσις; gnṓsis; gen. gnṓseōs, fem. noun from ginṓskō

Knowledge: Present and fragmentary knowledge as contrasted with epígnōsis clear and exact knowledge which expresses a more thorough participation in the object or knowledge on the part of the knowledgeable subject.  Thayer

In secular Greek: The ordinary use is for intelligent comprehension ('to perceive,' 'to understand,' 'to know').  the act of knowing rather than knowledge as such. This act embraces every organ and mode of knowledge, e.g., by seeing, hearing, investigation, or experience, and of people as well as things. Supremely, however, knowledge implies verification by the eye; hence the dominant concept is that of knowledge by objective observation. KTD

Judaism: For the rabbis knowledge is knowledge of the law, and while the term may denote a thinking, gifted, or learned person, the law and tradition are the basis and theme of instruction. Obedience is regulative in this regard, although liturgically God is still praised for the endowment of knowledge. Hellenistic Judaism finds in knowledge the recognition of God's acts and perception of his ways, but with a special stress now on the confession that there is only one God.  KTD

NT:  In general, the Christian view of knowledge follows closely that of the OT. It involves obedient acknowledgment. It is not a fixed possession. It is a gift of grace that marks the Christian life ( 1  Cor.  1:5 ; 2 Cor. 8:7). Practical interests are always implied. Edification rather than learning is the main point ( Rom.  15:14 ; 1 Cor. 14:6). Reflective inquiry must be grounded in love and lead to right action ( Phil.  1:9 - 10 ; Phlm.  6 ; Col.  1:9 - 10 ; 1 Pet. 3:7). Yet theological knowledge on a biblical basis may also be at issue ( Gal.  3:7 ; Jms.  2:20 ; cf. 1 Clem. 32.1; 40.1; Barn. 7.1; 14.7). Faith implies knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom ( Mt.  13:1 ). We know the significance of baptism according to Rom.  6:6 . Faith should bring us knowledge of the mystery of Christ ( Col.  2:2 ).  KTD

Note:  ginosko – or as I like to say, “gnowing.”

·         Present and fragmentary.

·         It involves obedient acknowledgment.

·         It is not a fixed possession.

·         It is a gift of grace that marks the Christian life ( 1  Cor.  1:5 ; 2 Cor. 8:7).

·         Practical interests are always implied.

·         Edification rather than learning is the main point ( Rom.  15:14 ; 1 Cor. 14:6).

·         Reflective inquiry must be grounded in love and lead to right action.

This is NOT knowledge for the sake of knowing but rather knowledge for a purpose – in a direction – with a goal.

gnṓsis + the Holy Spirit + the Word + Prayer + obedience = epígnōsis (clear and exact knowledge which expresses a more thorough participation in the object or knowledge on the part of the knowledgeable subject)

In short, you gotta KNOW in order to KNOW.

Too often when someone says, “I love Jesus,” I have to wonder if their statement is any different than “I love peanut butter Oreos.”  In other words are they expressing their affection for Jesus but affection only.  It is not an affection based on knowledge and understanding but rather affection springing from how they benefit more than from what they know.

If the love we’re called to is indeed an act of the will – doesn’t our “will” need to be informed about the object of our love?  Can we really get to a “how to,” when we are ignorant of the object of the love?

No – a heart inspired, grateful – predominantly emotional “love” for Jesus is in no way shape of form to be questioned or criticized.  As I’ve heard said, “there ought to be a little Yeeeeha in your giddyup.”

But – apart from our fist introduction to Him through the agency of the Holy Spirit there is much to know, much to understand so we can be about His work rightly and well.

When we are first called we are babes.  We need spiritual milk – but that milk is knowledge not warm fuzzies.  A mother can hug, hold, rock and cuddle her babe all she wants.  But she also has to feed that babe and that food needs to be appropriate for the babe’s ability.

Understand – please!  This is NOT about knowledge about the Word but knowledge from the Word.  Seminars, workshops, conferences even sermons are all good things but they are occasional.  Try eating only once a week – one meal – all you hold – and see how you’re doing on day seven.  Not so hot.

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation--     (1Pe 2:2) ESV

Sadly the author of Hebrews nails it:

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.   (Heb 5:12-14)  ESV

Remember:

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.  (2Ti 3:16-17)  ESV

You want to “hear” God?  He’s spoken in 66 books.  Read it – study it – pray it – use it – or . . . . . .