Got Knowledge?

I love to read.  I read everything, fiction, historical, educational, . . . the list goes on and on.  I encourage my kids to read, as does our school with these crazy reading logsJ.   There is no doubt my family has caught the bug for reading, and have integrated the passion for learning and knowledge into our DNA.   As a former teacher, I value knowledge and see how essential learning is in our lives.  As a minister, I continually see a direct link between the quest for knowing God more deeply and the transformation of lives.  So many of us attend church each week, are involved in a Christian community such as a Life Group, read our Bible, pray, and continually strive to know more about our amazing God.  It is VITAL as a Christian to know Him, but knowledge is never intended to be solely for ourselves. To truly and deeply know God, is an amazing part of our walk with Him, but it is only one part. Our knowledge of Him should motivate us to live and love like He does.

I once read, ‘Love is the proof of knowing God’.  I love that quote.  In fact I think it sums up nicely what Paul is saying in our reading this week. 

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 8:1, “Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.”  We KNOW God loves us, we KNOW He is love:

Beloved let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.  The one who does not love does not know God for God is love.”     

1 John 4:7,8

We must continue to seek to know Him, and from that knowledge we will be motivated to love others, because He does.  We must realize our journey has a purpose beyond our self, a purpose that will transcend to the world around us. 

Knowledge for knowledge sake simply leaves us spiritually obese, unaware of how others perceive God by our actions.   We must continue to ask ourselves, how are we using the knowledge that we are obtaining?

Are you spending time thinking about how you can use the knowledge you gained to examine your life, see how you can grow in your walk, and directly impact those around you, like your spouse, your children, colleagues, and friends.  Much like Paul states in Chapter 8, do you go a step further and take a look at the choices (freedoms) you have and think about how they can be hindering a brother’s walk with Christ?  Do you love others enough to sacrifice something that is “ok” so they are not led astray?  We must be motivated to know God more so we love as he loves. 

How can you be wise with the knowledge you possess?

In Him,

Julie