What Do You Know?
“And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if the man love God, the same is known of him.” I Corinthians 8:2-3
The Apostle Paul had received a letter from the church at Corinth, Greece, which he had planted on his second missionary journey. Many problems had arisen in the church, and the letter was sent to him to request some help in solving these problems. One question concerned the eating of food that had been offered to idols. The church members had different opinions (so what else is new?) about whether it was permissible to join with friends and relatives who were idol worshippers and celebrate their feasts. Some thought it was OK because an idol was nothing while others ate because they had not yet completely turned from idols. And then there were those who believed it was OK, but their participation witnessed by a less mature believer could cause the one whose faith wasn’t as strong to join in and violate his or her conscience. In other words, if those with weaker faith believed it was wrong for them to eat food offered to idols, to do so was wrong for them and could hinder their Christian growth and witness for Christ. Thus Paul was dealing with disagreements among the church folks, a real challenge for a pastor or other leader of any church body. (When Jesus told His disciples before sending them out on mission “as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves”, He wasn’t kidding.)
Paul then made a rather bold, but truthful statement: “if anyone thinks he or she knows everything, he or she knows nothing” (paraphrased). One who thinks he or she has the answer to every question is really only showing his or her ignorance. Several years ago I heard a preacher on a local Christian radio station say that when he was just getting started in the ministry, he thought he had all the answers. But, after a few years of pastoring and ministering to folks with all their various problems, he realized that not only did he NOT know all the answers, he wasn’t even sure what the questions were! There’s nothing like being honest. I can understand his sentiment. The more that I study God’s word, the more I realize how much I don’t know. While Bible study does open one’s eyes to the truth of God and provides spiritual insights to His plan and purpose for His creation, it also reveals that there are truths that require more than a lifetime to gain. God said that His thoughts and ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8). While we can’t know everything that God knows, we can know as much as He will reveal to us in His word, but we have to diligently be in His word for that to happen.
Many folks avoid Bible study because they claim that they don’t understand scripture, but God will reveal Himself to those who seek to know Him through His word. Mark Twain, author and home-spun philosopher said, “It ain’t those parts of the Bible that I can’t understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand!” It could be that many folks are like Mr. Twain. They claim that they can’t understand scripture so they avoid it, but what they are really attempting to avoid is the truth about themselves, that is, that they are not nearly as good as they think they are.
If one truly loves God, then he or she will be willing to learn from Him the valuable things of life that will spiritually prosper him or her and cause him or her to base knowledge, wisdom, and behavior on love. There won’t be a need for petty arguments, boasting, or to prove one’s intentions to live as God desires. When love is the true foundation for conducting one’s life, then competition, selfishness, and pride will not have an influencing hold on the believer. To truly love God is to be hearers and doers of His word (James 1:22). To truly love God is to let the light of Christ shine clearly and brightly so that people will know where one’s loyalty and allegiance lies and glorify God for His marvelous work in the hearts of those who trust in Him (Matthew 5:16).