Knowing God and His Word
Just got a King James Commentary for my KJV and lo and behold, that very night, Our Heavenly Father spoke to me through this particular chapter in Thomas Kempis " Of The Imitation of Chirst". A real timely reminder. Learning to know God's word well is good and should be practiced, but it can never replace a holy living. I would think one will know God better through simple obedience and faith in our lives rather than searching the scriptures and knowing it from end to end but does not obey.
Have we err when we put knowledge above obedience?
Have we confuse knowing the word of God as knowing the God of the word?
"Humble Conceit of Ourselves"
Every man naturally desires to know (Eccles 1:13) but what does knowledge avail without the fear of God? Better surely, is a humble laborer who serves God than a proud philosopher who, neglecting himself, studies the course of the heavens. Whoso knows himself well grows mean in his own conceit, and delights not in the praises of men. If I understood all things in the world and had not love ( 1 Cor 13:2), what would that help me in the sight of God, who will judge me according to my deeds?
Cease from an inordinate desire of knowing, for therein is found much distraction and deceit. The learned are well pleased to seem so to others, and to be accounted wise. There be many things. which to know does little or nothing to the soul. And he is very unwise, who is intent upon any things except those which avail for his salvation. Many words do not satisfy the soul; but a good life comforts the mind, and a pure conscience gives great confidence toward God.
How much the more and the better you know, so much the more rigourously shall you therefore be judged, unless your life has been the holier. Be not therfore lifted up for any art or science, but rather fear for the knowledge that is given you.
If you think that you know many things and understand them well, know also that there are far more things which you know not. " Mind not high things" (Rom 12:16), but rather acknowledge your own ignorance. Why will you prefer yourself before another since there are many more learned, and more skillful in the law than you? If you will know or learn anything profitably, desire to be unknown and to be esteemed as nothing.
The deepest and the most profitable lesson is this, the true knowledge and contempt of ourselves, and to think always well and highly of others. If you should see another openly sin, or commit some heinous offense, you ought not to esteem yourself the better; for you know not how long you shall be able to remain in good standing. All of us are frail, but you ought not to think anyone more frail than yourself.
A.W. Tozer quotes:
" The Scriptures, to be understood, must be read with the same spirit that originally inspired them. "
" The devil is a better theologian than any of us and is a devil still"
Have we err when we put knowledge above obedience?
Have we confuse knowing the word of God as knowing the God of the word?
"Humble Conceit of Ourselves"
Every man naturally desires to know (Eccles 1:13) but what does knowledge avail without the fear of God? Better surely, is a humble laborer who serves God than a proud philosopher who, neglecting himself, studies the course of the heavens. Whoso knows himself well grows mean in his own conceit, and delights not in the praises of men. If I understood all things in the world and had not love ( 1 Cor 13:2), what would that help me in the sight of God, who will judge me according to my deeds?
Cease from an inordinate desire of knowing, for therein is found much distraction and deceit. The learned are well pleased to seem so to others, and to be accounted wise. There be many things. which to know does little or nothing to the soul. And he is very unwise, who is intent upon any things except those which avail for his salvation. Many words do not satisfy the soul; but a good life comforts the mind, and a pure conscience gives great confidence toward God.
How much the more and the better you know, so much the more rigourously shall you therefore be judged, unless your life has been the holier. Be not therfore lifted up for any art or science, but rather fear for the knowledge that is given you.
If you think that you know many things and understand them well, know also that there are far more things which you know not. " Mind not high things" (Rom 12:16), but rather acknowledge your own ignorance. Why will you prefer yourself before another since there are many more learned, and more skillful in the law than you? If you will know or learn anything profitably, desire to be unknown and to be esteemed as nothing.
The deepest and the most profitable lesson is this, the true knowledge and contempt of ourselves, and to think always well and highly of others. If you should see another openly sin, or commit some heinous offense, you ought not to esteem yourself the better; for you know not how long you shall be able to remain in good standing. All of us are frail, but you ought not to think anyone more frail than yourself.
A.W. Tozer quotes:
" The Scriptures, to be understood, must be read with the same spirit that originally inspired them. "
" The devil is a better theologian than any of us and is a devil still"
posted by Cal at 11:05 PM
