Knowledge
Being known by God
Paul writing to the Corinthians
says we all have knowledge.
From the time you were born till now
you have been gaining knowledge.
The knowledge you possess
shapes attitudes in your mind.
I think many of us are
unaware of these attitudes.
Through life we accept information because
that was the information in our environment.
When we realize we have more knowledge
than someone else or
a group of people we
can get an attitude of being better than them.
Paul calls it “puffed up”.
In the animal kingdom, there are a lot
of animals who are like the puffer fish.
When they are scared they inflate to
make themselves bigger and intimidating.
Paul warns us about the person
“who thinks he knows
something does
not yet know as he
ought to know.”
This is prejudice: an unfavorable opinion or feeling
formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought or reason.
Love keeps us from being puffed up or prejudice.
Because love focuses on building others up.
Love turns knowledge into thoughtfulness.
You can know it all but without love
knowledge can do more harm than good.
We talk a lot as Christians about knowing
God, and the same thing is true
about knowing God without love.
It is very important that we know God
and grow in our knowledge of Him.
But to be known by God is the goal.
When our knowledge of God leads us into a
greater love for God we become known by God.
So never forget all you know
without love is nothing.
Love will turn the rough edges
of knowledge into kindness.
The greater point than “it
is not what
you know but who you
know” is…
Being known by God and
that happens as we love Him.
It is also true…
“How can we love God
who we
cannot see if we do
not love
our brother we do see”.
Scripture Reading
1 Corinthians 8:1-3 NIV
Now about food
sacrificed to idols: We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up,
but love builds up. 2 The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know
as he ought to know. 3 But the man who loves God is known by God.
