Flourish in Knowledge of God’s Righteousness

    We can be just as guilty as the Israelites in Paul’s day, who had “a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.” (Romans 10:2-3). The Israelites wanted to keep the Law (the Old Covenant or the Law of Moses), they wanted to stick with what they knew, and they refused to hear the gospel of Christ. They knew of God and obeyed His commandments in their own habitual way; they had heard Him (and listened to His instructions) only up to a point but would go no further. They were content with what they held to and refused to look further at the Scriptures (the books of our Old Testament, which they would have had access to), unlike the Bereans who came to faith after searching the Scriptures daily to find out if the things the apostle Paul taught were accurate (Acts 17:11-12).

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”” (Romans 1:16-17 NKJV) 

    We can reach a level of “knowledge” and stop learning. We can feel our “goodness” is acceptable and our attendance at church services is enough that “we’re okay.” We can fall into the habit of rarely opening our Bibles throughout the week, sometimes not even at church services. We can say that what we know is enough, but if what we know is not God’s righteousness – and we are not growing in our knowledge of Him and His Word – then we are simply making up our own righteousness and fooling ourselves into thinking that it is acceptable to God.

    When we don’t know – or grow – in knowledge of God and His righteousness we can lead others astray…

…in being complacent about God and His will (Proverbs 1:32-33, Revelation 3:15-16, Matthew 24:42, 1 Peter 5:8)

…in being wrong about God and His will (Acts 8:14-24, 13:45, 14:1-2)

…in being a roadblock to their understanding (Galatians 2:11-13, Luke 11:52, Hebrews 5:12-13)

    And we will become weak ourselves – read and consider Hebrews 5:12-14 – how will we know what is truly good and what is evil if we do not develop toward consuming “solid food” and exercise our senses by applying what we learn? We, too, can become like those in Romans 1:18-22, who knew God but “did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful” We, too, can become “futile in our thoughts,” our “foolish hearts” can darken, and we can think ourselves wise, but become fools.

    When we become satisfied with what we know and stop searching the treasures of wisdom and knowledge found in God the Father and Jesus the Son (Colossians 2:2-3, Psalm 119:161b-162), content with our own form of righteousness,  than our prayers may soon become rote and our attendance and attention may become mechanical – because our heart won’t be in them.  

    Let’s not let that happen! Let’s use the time that God has blessed us with this day to gain more knowledge of Him – begin reading the Psalms or the epistle to the Ephesians, and really think on what you read! Let that knowledge motivate you to grow in understanding, as you humbly acknowledge His wisdom, and submit to His righteousness!

 You can do it! So can I!! 

Flourish in Knowledge

    God provided His word (through the Holy Spirit, 2 Peter 1:16-21) to chosen men who penned it; He preserved it over the millennia so that we could hear it and gain knowledge of the truth (Romans 10:17, 1 Timothy 2:4). God loves us that much!

    Consider that the very first instance of creation was the word of God being spoken into the darkness (Genesis 1:2-3), and because of His great, abounding, and continual love for us, His word continues to be spoken into the darkness to call people out of it and into His marvelous light (Isaiah 9:2, Acts 26:15-18, 1 Peter 2:9).

“For it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6 NKJV)

    God does not want us to be content with knowledge of Him (Romans 1:20), He wants us to know Him (Hebrews 11:6); He wants us to continue to gain knowledge of Him through hearing/reading and obedience (Side note: It is in obedience that we learn of God’s wisdom, His faithfulness, and the truth of His promises of escape, comfort, peace, help, etc.). He wants us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (renew means: change for the better, take on a new mind/mindset); He wants us to put on a new man that is “created according to God in true righteousness and holiness,” and that comes from learning Christ (Ephesians 4:17-23), so we can prove (to ourselves and to others around us) “what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1-2), and so we can “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks a reason for the hope that is in us” (1 Peter 3:15).

    When we don’t develop our knowledge of God, and come to truly know Him, we put ourselves at risk of being destroyed (Hosea 4:6). We may have a zeal for God, but if we don’t know His righteousness we are only living according to our own ideas (Romans 10:2-3). When we don’t develop our knowledge of God we are "shortsighted, even to blindness" and forget that we have been cleansed from our old sins (2 Peter 1:9), we remain children “unskilled in the word of righteousness” (Hebrews 5:13) and leave ourselves open to be “carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men” (Ephesians 4:13-14); we can become a roadblock (through our example, or lack thereof) for others who are in need of the knowledge of God (Luke 11:52), and we will not be able to help them as we should (Galatians 6:1, Hebrews 3:12-13; 5:12-14).

“You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:17-18 NKJV)

    Faith comes from hearing God’s word (Romans 10:17), and we are instructed in 2 Peter 1:5-11 to add “virtue” to our faith. Virtue is moral excellence, goodness – something that we cannot know without knowing God (consider Psalm 16:2, Mark 10:18), I believe that is why we are then told to add knowledge to our virtue, so we continue to learn from the very Source. Everything else on that list – self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love – are things that we can only learn from digging into God’s word, the Bible, and gaining knowledge of Him and His beloved Son.   

“Send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle.” (Psalm 43:3 NKJV)

    Let’s joy in our access to God’s word, open it, and study it daily! Don’t hold off saying, “One day,” let today be Day One. From wherever you are right now – BEGIN! Let's develop a love and an appreciation for God's word through continued study. And when others observe you reading the Bible you can proclaim, “God loves us this much! We can read His words! We can know His will! We can know the way home to Him!”

    Are you ready to flourish in knowledge?

You can do it! So can I!! 

Flourish Even More in 2024… in Knowledge

“Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10 NKJV)

    Knowledge in this passage means knowledge and discernment in its highest sense which includes obedience. Fearing the LORD is the wise thing to do, and gaining knowledge of Him – the Holy One – will lead us to understand why He should be reverenced, respected – and obeyed – at all times.

    If the Lord wills, for the remainder of the year, we will learn to Flourish Even More in 2024 in Knowledge. It is important that we do not become content or complacent in what we think we already know of God and Jesus because “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” are hidden in Them, and we are to work toward “attaining to all the riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ” (Colossians 2:2-3).

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7 NKJV)

    When we look to God to seek Him, and in hearing His word, respect it “not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God” (like the Thessalonian brethren, 1 Thessalonians 2:13), we will begin our journey in gaining life-changing (Ephesians 4:17-24), life-preserving (Proverbs 2:10-12), and life-giving knowledge (John 17:3)!  

“…the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.” (Ecclesiastes 7:12b NKJV)

    Take time this week to read and think on Proverbs 2, 3, and 4. Read each chapter at your normal pace and then go back and read each one slowly; make notes of all the benefits of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding that are mentioned. Recall these benefits throughout your day – while you’re driving, tidying, or doing the dishes – let these truths about knowledge prepare your mind for this study and for each day!

“If you seek [wisdom] as silver, and search for [wisdom] as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding…” (Proverbs 2:4-6 NKJV)

    Let’s be thankful to God that He made His will available to us! Let’s be filled with gratitude that He prepared it, preserved it, and provides it to us so we can know Him! Let’s determine to show full and proper appreciation by reading and studying His word, the Bible, to gain a better understanding of who He is and to learn and meditate on everything He has done, continues to do, and promises yet to do, so we can flourish even more in knowledge - in its highest sense - of our Most Holy God and loving Father!

You can do it! So can I!! 

Flourish in Giving – Give All Diligence

    As we finish our study in learning how to Flourish in Giving, let’s look at a word associated with giving; a word used throughout the Bible that informs us about our required effort: diligence.

“…giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:5-11 NKJV)

Diligence

• Hebrew (Old Testament) definitions: to guard, watch with full attention and attentiveness, eager determination, vehemently, wholly, speedily

“Keep your heart with all diligence for out of spring the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23 NKJV)

• Greek (New Testament) definitions: speed on/urge on, eagerness/to await eagerly, earnestness, hastily; to use speed, to make effort, be prompt and earnest, endeavor, study carefully, to investigate, search out, crave, and demand. One of these Greek words is formed from two words: the first word means the origin point from which motion proceeds (motivation), and the second word means, to seek, to worship God, desire, enquire. It basically means that God is the very reason we should diligently seek Him; He is reason enough to motivate us toward humble worship and obedience.  

“And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:11-12 NKJV)

    We are to give all diligence – give our utmost effort – to the things of God (Psalm 119:4, Matthew 6:33). We are to be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless (2 Peter 3:14) – daily effort is required in forgiving (Matthew 18:17-35, Ephesians 4:31-32), in purifying our hearts (1 John 3:3), in being holy in all our conduct (1 Peter 1:15-16) – and we should always remember to be quick to do these things! Don’t hold on to upset (Matthew 18:15-20, Ephesians 4:26-27), impurities (Ephesians 5:1-7), or worldly behaviors (Colossians 3:1-17) – think on all that God is, and all that He has done for you, and let that energize and motivate you to continued and immediate obedience and repentance!

“…diligence is man’s precious possession.” (Proverbs 12:27b NKJV)

    Consider that a widowed woman, in 1 Timothy 5:9-10, needed to be “well reported for good works” and she needed to have “diligently followed every good work” – quickly motivated to help, to alleviate, eager to show love, care, and compassion to those in need. Diligence is a word that we each should always be exemplifying to those around us!

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV)

    When we give diligence – use our utmost effort – to seek God, we will find Him (Acts 17:26-27, James 4:8) and when we continue in our desire to know Him better He will reward us; our eyes will be opened to truth and it will light the path home (Psalm 119:105, John 3:20-21).

    When we give diligence – eagerly exert ourselves – to our walk (1 John 2:3-6, Colossians 1:9-11), we will find daily motivation to stay the course and encourage others to develop faith and diligently seek God along with us (Psalm 78:4, 79:13, Matthew 5:16)

    When we give diligence – continual careful effort – to add virtue to our faith, knowledge to our virtue, self-control to our knowledge, perseverance to our self-control, godliness to our perseverance, brotherly kindness to our godliness, and love to our brotherly kindness (2 Peter 1:5-11), we will flourish and be fruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. And we will be motivated to make even more effort – quickly and carefully – to do all that is pleasing to God!!

    Flourish in giving even more in 2024 by first giving yourself to God, then in giving thanks to God for all that He has done, continues to do, and for all He has promised yet to do! Flourish in giving glory to God, because He is worthy of our every thought of love and word of praise – He has blessed us with all we have – so use these blessings to give to others! Give time, give physical needs, and give generously! Don’t give opportunity to the devil, nor give heed to man-made ideas and notions, instead, give time and attention to study of the God’s word so that you won’t give offense in anything for the gospel’s sake! And give it your all (Colossians 3:23)! Let God – our glorious Creator and loving Father - motivate you toward daily determined diligence to flourish even more in giving!

You can do it! So can I!!