One of the most important understandings we must hold before the Lord, if God is going to be able to use, is how He operates in our lives through the knowledge of faith. Our entire walk with God is done in faith until we allow Him to work sufficiently in our lives to open the eyes of our understanding to be able to see the invisible. Paul encouraged the church at Ephesus, “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,” (Ephesians 1:17-18) Paul was not telling the Christians in Ephesus to desire wisdom and knowledge, but for us to allow God to “give unto us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.” Faith in our lives will not work if we do not have a desire for “the knowledge of him.” It is no wonder many Christians start off in God, but flutter and quickly fade away because they were never instructed to desire to have a personal and intimate relationship with Him. They were instructed to know Him as their savior, supplier, and healer, but not as their Lord and ruler of their lives. Unless we possess the knowledge of God we will never be able to move correctly in faith. This is why “faith cometh by hearing a word from God.” (Romans 10:17 (Greek)) Hearing what? Preaching? The Bible on tape CD, or DVD? No none of these my friend will work, but hearing God speak to our spirit gives us all of the faith we will ever need. It really is sad most denominations do not teach the importance of knowing God. Most denominations teach knowing denominational doctrines, rules, and regulation of which membership is the entry door. There are even special classes you must attend to be a “member” of their churches. And annually they have special meetings to discus and vote on their ideas and rules. No election of man’s rules and regulations has ever changed God’s ways. How foolish and sad to think we can dumb down God’s words and ways to classes, rules, and regulations to belong. Recently I was reading an article that stressed the importance of getting back to or re-identifying with what it really means to belong to be a member of a certain denomination. The folly of the author was easily seen every time he mentioned the denomination instead of the Body of Christ. He stated we must get back to what is means to be a _________ (you can plug in your favorite denomination in the blank) because our attendance and membership is dropping off. If you believe this drivel my friend you have missed the truth of the word of God and the heart of Christ. Do we honesty believe heaven will be divided by denominations like the Body of Christ is on earth? It is like we are saying to the world there are many ways to the Father. There is a Pentecostal, a Methodist, a Baptist, a Presbyterian, a Catholic, a Lutheran, and many more ways to get to the Father. Just like the Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, and many more religions believe. But the Bible (John 14:6) says, Jesus is the only way (not a religion or denomination) to the Father. Jesus is the truth and life no one comes unto the Father except through Him. Jesus came so that we may have life, the life of God. This wrong earthly thinking is nothing more than presumption and at the root of the presumption is evil envy and subtle hatred and wrath.
Our walk with the Lord must be out of a broken and contrite heart in faith not by sight. The writer of the Hebrews tells us, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6) We cannot please God, no matter how much we do or give Him. Pleasing God is found in believing in Him, now that is a real revelation for many Christians who have been told pleasing God is found in working and going places for Him. How can God reward us if we do not believe in Him? Even God’s “exceeding great precious promises” for us are based solely on us having faith and believing in Him so that we will be able to possess the knowledge of Him. Of all the disciples, Peter seemed (not Thomas) to struggle (often like me) with this whole faith issue. While walking with the Lord he was the first to speak the loudest (often like me), but was the last to admit he was wrong. But after God’s dealings and judgments in Peter’s life he was able to write these words, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1:3-4) I wonder where Peter learned these words? Each time he boasted what he would do, but when it was all said and done saw what he really was made of. After Peter allowed God to work in his life he could see the critical need to know God. Our call is unto “glory and virtue” (strength or manhood) through knowing Him, then and only then can we hold those “exceeding great and precious promises” and “be partakers of the divine nature” so that we will be able to, “escape the corruption that is in the world through lust.” My friend we will never be able to escape the corruption of this world unless we know the Lord. My friend going to church and entering into membership will not do it, being good will not do it, burning our bodies and suffering will not do, only knowing God through His precious Son Jesus Christ will do it.
But now Peter does not stop there, oh no Peter continues and says, “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:5-8) “And besides this,” Besides what? All of the things he has previously said in the scriptures and now sets up the condition “giving all diligence” for the command to “add to your faith.” Wow, we must add something to our faith? Pastor Dave, are you telling me faith is not enough? No I am not saying that. Remember, we have no faith unless we can hear God speak to us, again, “faith cometh by hearing a word from God.” When God speaks to us everything we need to do that which God wants us to do is present (inherent in the structure) in His words to us. All of the provision, all of the ability, all of the wisdom and revelation, everything we will need to do that which God desires in His speaking is in the words. This is why all things are possible to them that believe which is always God’s intention and desire in His speaking. However, all things coming to pass is not up to God (He has already done His part), but is up to us. Like the leper in Mark 1:40-42, will we move in obedience (the sign of really loving God) after we hear His words to do that which God wants? The leper knew Jesus could make him clean, he probably heard and saw many miracles, but he wanted to know if Jesus would make him clean. What I am saying is when we hear God speak to us we must know His heart and add to our faith some things that will enable God’s words (which contains His power, provision, and authority) to come alive in us. I wonder when Peter learned his faith was not enough? Perhaps every time he failed Jesus. I wonder when Peter learned the things in verses 5-8 needed to be added to his faith? Every time he allowed the Father, through His dealings and judgments, to work in his life enabling him to be able to receive God’s “exceeding great and precious promises.” Such things as, “virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity (love). 8For if these things be in you, and abound (grow or multiply), they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Brethren let us allow God to work so that these things can be produced in us, abound, and can be added to our faith. They are not apart of our new nature from our 1 John 1:9 salvation, they must be worked in us. And please notice the condition, “if these things be in us and abound” the reward “they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful (not in these things or faith but) in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” It is always about knowing God, through His precious Son Jesus Christ, which is the essence and heart of our salvation. Written by David Stahl
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