The Gift of Knowledge

The Christian life is not one removed from fact, reasoning, or reality. Every step of faith is an act of obedience to known truth from a known God.From the very first page of Scripture, we see God begin to reveal Himself and His plan for redemption to mankind.

In our modern age, there seems to be a common misconception about faith. Many believe that faith is blind, but if I had no more reason to believe in God than in the tooth fairy, there is no way I would be a Christian. The truth is, the Christian faith is an evidential faith. Faith and knowledge go hand in hand.

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 

Faith is not some mysterious force without source or substance. Faith is a response to knowledge. This does not remove the work of the Holy Spirit from the equation. Salvation is a work of the Godhead: the Father, the Son (the Word), and the Holy Spirit; our being is made up of mind, body, and spirit—and faith permeates every one of these areas. Faith is not something stumbled upon thoughtlessly; it begins with understanding. The deeper your knowledge, the deeper your faith will be.

The faith of a child is so precious, not because they don't need knowledge to have faith, (faith cometh by hearing) but because a child's thinking is so singular and untarnished that they receive knowledge so readily and believe it unwaveringly. Paul did not tell Timothy, "and that from a child thou hast had childlike faith." He said, "and that from a child thou has known the holy scriptures." 2 Timothy 3:15 So we see the faith passed down to Timothy from his mother and grandmother wasn't a blind trust, but rooted and built up in knowledge of scripture. Childlike faith doesn’t mean limited understanding — it means humble, wholehearted trust in a faithful source of truth. Faith is the rich soil that knowledge can thrive and grow in. Both are a gift of the Spirit. Faith that doesn’t have the fruit of knowledge is useless, yet knowledge without the gift of faith has no real spiritual substance. They go hand in hand.

We have the most trustworthy source of truth in scripture, yet most Christians have a limited understanding of why the Bible is trustworthy. As we grow older, we are confronted with countless ideas and belief systems. Lack of knowledge breeds weak faith because those empty, blind spaces will quickly fill with doubt and questions. Our brains are wired to learn and understand and if we cannot give a reason for the faith that lies within us, we risk the destruction of our own minds, and the minds of our children. Too many Christians are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Hosea 4:6 I don't want me or my family to be counted among them.

Over and over in Scripture, knowledge is encouraged. We are not called to be empty-headed followers, but thoughtful disciples of Christ — increasing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:10 The separation of faith and knowledge has led many believers into dangerous waters. Tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, (Ephesians 4:14) they cling to what they call “faith,” yet cannot explain what it means in any real or logical sense.

To separate knowledge from faith is to ignore a foundational aspect of regeneration. At the moment of salvation, we are given a new mind — the mind of Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Colossians 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

The natural man cannot understand the things of God.

1 Corinthians 2:9-16

9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might knowthe things that are freely given to us of God.

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.

Romans 12:1-2

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Colossians 3:10

10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Let us be diligent to learn, study, and grow. Ask questions. Look for evidence. Be critical thinkers. Be like the faithful bereans. Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. We have access to eternal storehouses of wisdom and knowledge, all found in Christ Jesus. Let us be faithful stewards of this gift.

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Blog Post Title Two

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Blog Post Title Three

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Blog Post Title Four

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.