Christian Living

Pursuing Knowledge

by paul hoffmaster
03/21/21
Free to Share

  Message Writer
  Hire Writer

Tweet

 Schools offer academic guidance to fulfill the quest for knowledge.  Teachers and Professors lead classes in specialized areas of interest.   Lectures and verbal instructions dominate the classroom structure.  But lectures are never a substitute for personal study.  Textbooks are used to elaborate on classroom instruction.   The gauge of one’s comprehension is how well one does on the test.

There is a parallel between secular and Biblical teaching.  The Pastor/Teacher teaches under the leading of the Holy Spirit.   Hopefully, his “students” take notes to assist in their understanding.  But for the Christian to fully understand the “subject” he must also study the “textbook” (Bible). How well the Believer has achieved understanding will be evidenced by the result of the weekly tests of his faith.

The Christian is called upon to study the Word.  Through his knowledge, he learns to rightly divide the Word of Truth. (II Timothy 2:15)   He realizes the Word is powerful and “sharper than any two-edged sword.” (Hebrews 4:12)   If he does not know how to handle the sharpened Word, he could misuse it by attempting to benefit his own whims and desires.

It is not enough to hear a sermon on Sunday and think one is ready to face the challenges of life.  He must gather the information that he has heard and incorporate it with the Word of God.   Studying the Word exposes one to the concept of Knowledge.  Knowledge reveals the workings and intent of the Word.  For example, “Grace and peace is multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” (II Peter 1:2)   Believers are given all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the knowledge of Him.  Knowledge reveals that He has given great and precious promises.  Knowledge reveals our being partakers of God’s Divine Nature. (II Peter 1:3,4)  There so much to learn and the only thing that can keep the Christian from attaining more and more Truth is by neglecting to incorporate the Written Word with the proclaimed Word.   In High School, there are students who just want to get by with the least amount of effort.  They attend class but their homework is lacking.  They barely get by with a passing grade.  Could that be the mindset of some Christians?  They hear the preaching once a week but fail to do their “homework.”  When the Believer fails to study the “textbook” and simply hears the Word from the “stage,” the only degree he can hope to receive is the Bachelor of Lukewarmness.

The Bible is not a “claim and frame” book, where one chooses to pick what Scriptures he wants to follow; rather, it is God’s authorized autobiography.  His Word changes man so thoroughly that he desires to please God with his whole heart.  God acknowledged that David was a man after His own heart, and as a result, He knew David would fulfill all of His will. (Acts 13:22) 

My prayer is that Believers will hunger and thirst after the Word.  The waters of living Truth are waiting to flow into the cisterns of those thirsting for Truth!