Growth by Addition
“Knowledge of God”
2 Peter 1:5 (NIV)
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge
As we continue in our series Growth by Addition, we come to the next level that we are to add to: Knowledge. This level challenges us to add to our Faith a better understanding of our faith. When we do this, we are proactively seeking answers to the questions of:
- Why do I believe?
- Who is controlling things?
- What is my purpose?
There are three categories that we as humans fall into in regards to our feelings of knowledge
A. Ignorance
What I’m not going to do is speak to the different levels of intellect today. Some people may retain more than others for longer periods of time, but let’s face it; we’re all capable of doing stupid things!
So when I say Ignorance, I’m speaking of simply the lack of knowledge. Maybe it’s because we’ve never been taught, or maybe it’s because we didn’t put in the effort to learn, but regardless, we simply do not know it.
B. Knowledgeable
Here we know it all! We can tell you all the info you need forward and backwards, right down to the very last detail. But that’s where it stops. It’s truly just “head-knowledge”.
C. Wisdom
Wisdom takes all the knowledge and experience, and uses it practically in life. It is the action and application of knowledge.
It is possible to move in categories based on subject. For me, I am knowledgeable and wise in the form of writing, spelling and proper grammar usage. But there are just some areas in math that I’m just plain ignorant!
Well as you can probably tell, God is calling us to Increase by adding to our faith, knowledge, but not just by “knowing more stuff”…
1. Knowledge Itself
Knowledge by itself is nothing. We can amass all the knowledge in the world, and still have gained nothing. It might help you if you ever get on Jeopardy or Who Wants to be a Millionaire, but for the other hours in your day it will be useless because it is not being used for purpose.
Our Spiritual Maturity works the same way. Did you know there are biblical scholars and professors that know the bible inside out, yet still don’t know God? Let’s remove the titles, and bring it closer to home. There are people (maybe even in the church today!) who say they “believe in God”, but don’t really know God.
James 2:19-20 (NIV)
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?
What separates us from demons? How we act on what we profess to believe! We’ve got to take what we know and apply it. It’s not just about the knowledge, but truly “The Knowledge (or Knowing) of God.”
One of the best examples I can think of is that of training to be a Medical Doctor. First you have to get through college (4 years). Next you have to make it into Medical School, where you study more, gaining as much knowledge as possible (4 more years). Then once that is complete, you enter a Residency, which is basically “on the job training”.
Now notice that last step. After 8 years of acquiring knowledge of the human anatomy, and specific skills necessary per each specialized form of medicine, one does not simply walk into the hospital and become a doctor. You have to go and put your knowledge into practice! The Residency portion of training can take up to at least 3 more years! It’s quite a process that requires hours of devotion and sacrifice.
You could look at any profession, and draw the same conclusion: to know how to perform is one thing, to be able to effectively put that knowledge to use is another!
Recognizing this, why is that we are so quick to neglect this principal in our spiritual walks? If we’re going to “know God intimately” we’re going to have learn more about His word, and apply it to our hearts.
And realize that this works the other way around as well.
Just as we can know all about God’s Word, yet still not know God on an intimate level,
so to
Can we know God intimately, but be ignorant to the knowledge of God.
Ignorance is not bliss! If we have a relationship with our savior, but don’t take the time to study His word, or grow in practicing His commands we’re going to miss out on the many blessings that come from “Knowing God”.
John 17:3 (NLT)
And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.
Think of a brilliant artist, one that can paint some of the most beautiful works of art. But let’s say that their art is the only art they’ve ever known. Yes, it’s great, but there are so many more other masterpieces that the artist is missing out on! They could be using these to better their own artwork, but are neglecting it altogether.
Our faith is the same way! Yes we have a relationship with God, but when we don’t seek to increase our knowledge of God, we are missing out on the incredible depth of God’s Word in our lives!
We’ve got to find that balance. Know God, and be inspired daily to know God’s Word. That is the path to true wisdom!
2. Grow in Wisdom
So like we have discussed in the last two weeks, we’re called to “increase” and “grow” in the levels of our spirituality, no matter what stage we think or claim to be at! And knowledge is no exception. First thing we need is to:
A. Humble Yourself
There’s a story about a proud young man who came to Socrates asking for knowledge. He walked up to the muscular philosopher and said, “O great Socrates, I come to you for knowledge.”
Socrates recognized a pompous numbskull when he saw one. He led the young man through the streets, to the sea, and chest deep into water. Then he asked, “What do you want?”
“Knowledge, O wise Socrates,” said the young man with a smile.
Socrates put his strong hands on the man’s shoulders and pushed him under. Thirty seconds later Socrates let him up. “What do you want?” he asked again.
“Wisdom,” the young man sputtered, “O great and wise Socrates.”
Socrates crunched him under again. Thirty seconds passed, thirty-five. Forty. Socrates let him up. The man was gasping. “What do you want, young man?”
Between heavy, heaving breaths the fellow wheezed, “Knowledge, O wise and wonderful…”
Socrates jammed him under again Forty seconds passed. Fifty. “What do you want?”
“Air!” the young man screeched. “I need air!”
“When you want knowledge as you have just wanted air, then you will have knowledge.”
M. Littleton, Moody Monthly, June 1989, p. 29.
We must reach a place where we recognize that we “need” to grow in our knowledge of God. That means humbling you to recognize, “I don’t know everything!” or more famously, “I already know enough.”
Proverbs 11:2 (NIV)
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Understand This: You will never stop learning. But you have a choice in the way you learn. Through Consequence of going the wrong route, or by being proactive in acquiring that knowledge through different means!
B. Identify Your Learning Style
The learning styles theory is based on research demonstrating that, as the result of heredity, upbringing, and current environmental demands, different individuals have a tendency to both perceive and process information differently. The different ways of doing so are generally classified as:
Concrete and abstract perceivers–
Concrete perceivers absorb information through direct experience, by doing, acting, sensing, and feeling.
Abstract perceivers, however, take in information through analysis, observation, and thinking.
Active and reflective processors–
Active processors make sense of an experience by immediately using the new information.
Reflective processors make sense of an experience by reflecting on and thinking about it.
(Funderstanding.com Website)
So ask yourself this today, do I learn best by experience or by study? Do I get it right away, or do I need to reflect on it for a while? There’s no one better way than the other. But if you can identify your learning style, you can begin to implement the most effective means of gaining knowledge.
Disclaimer: This is not an excuse! You are not allowed to say, “Well I don’t get much from reading, so I’m just going to listen to others talk about the bible.” It doesn’t work that way. Knowing how you learn is meant to help you learn more effectively. It does not make you exempt from learning any specific way!
If I want to have the true knowledge of God, it’s going to require me to get into His word ANY way I can. Balance! Choose how you are going to learn. God’s way, or the hard way!
C. Apply what you’ve learned!
Application is an important part of learning. We teach the SOAP method of bible study at Faith Fellowship, and one of my favorite parts of this form of study is that it highlights “Application”. How does what I just read apply to me? How is it challenging my life? Am I even living it today?
2 Peter 3:17-18 (NLT)
I am warning you ahead of time, dear friends. Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. 18 Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Listen to what this verse exhorts us to do: Grow in the Grace and Knowledge of Jesus! Why? So that you won’t fall into the traps of sin and deceit that those without this knowledge fall into! Ignorance is not Bliss!
There is power in knowledge that is applied. The bible defines this as “Wisdom”; understanding God’s Word, and living our lives by it.
3. Benefits of Wisdom
“We cannot approve of the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God, till we know it.” – Matthew Henry’s Commentary
This is how you can tell the difference between those who are ignorant or knowledgeable and those with God’s wisdom: The Fruit that comes forth in their life.
A. Freedom of Sin
John 8:32 (NLT)
And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
When we know God’s word, we are free from the old ways of sin because we know there is something greater to attain than the temporary of this world! The benefit of knowing this is in seeking out the things that will add to our goodness of character and life in Christ!
B. Joy from Salvation
Knowing the Truth, also means knowing that our true Joy in life all stems from understanding that you have been set free. Let me make sure you understand this:
If you forget the Joy you have knowing God saved you, you will forget joy in everything else!
The Wisdom of God restores this joy. It refocuses the heart that is troubled back to one simple fact: “God loved you enough to grant you grace, and even in this trying season you are walking through, God is still with you.”
So take heart in the knowledge of God’s Love.
Ignorance doesn’t see this, and Knowledge itself just sees this as a “Feel Good Moment”.
Wisdom knows God is Good.
C. Strengthened Faith and Purpose
“God does not command what cannot be done, but admonishes us to do what is in our power, and pray for what is not.”
Matthew Henry’s Commentary
Just like our Joy, out of God’s Wisdom comes a sense of security and along with it a reason to live, move and have our being!
The wise person knows his master has called him for a purpose, but also knows that there are some things they are simply called to prayer for. All this reinforces a faith that God has the master plan, and we are called to take part!
Proverbs 2:3-6 (NLT)
Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. 4 Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. 5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Seek to add to your faith knowledge. But be certain that you apply this knowledge so that it will become true wisdom!
-Prayer
Go Further! - Personal Study Questions
1. Why is it important to intimately “Know God” and His commands?
2. Identify how do you learn things most effectively (ie: Experiences, observations, ect). How can you use this method(s) to grow in the knowledge of God?
3. Read James 2:17. How does this verse challenge you to make your knowledge of God an application?
