ADD KNOWLEDGE

Last week we began exploring seven characteristics of a godly life as outlined by Peter in the first chapter of his second letter by adding to our faith moral excellence. “Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.” (2 Peter 1:5-7)

Knowledge is now introduced as another element in our growth as Christ-followers. The literal meaning of the word suggests a knowledge that is a process of growing in practical knowledge or discernment. When you are putting your knowledge into practice you will develop the ability to handle life successfully. In fact, it is the opposite of the notion of being “so heavenly minded as to be of no earthly good!” It is what Paul recommends when he says in Ephesians 5:17; “Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.” You don’t get this kind of knowing overnight. It’s not automatic. You will grow wiser and older at the same time. Hopefully, you will be making godly corrections every day based on the previous day’s experiences. As the years go by you should know more and more of God’s will. Knowledge will grow in you as you obey the will of God. “Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own.” (John 7:17)

This distinctive of the Christian life is a perpetual progress. It will refine your faith, constantly advancing your life into further maturity. God’s thoughts become your thoughts, and God’s ways become your ways, and you no longer live but Christ lives in you. If your faith is to be a source of power to you—the power of God unto salvation—then the pursuit of God’s truth for your life is vital. The wisdom from heaven includes not only the knowledge that you the sinner are pardoned, but also that you gain a deeper understanding of your relationship with Christ furnishing your soul’s boundless appetite with the food it craves, thus living life to the full.

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