The Knowledge of God

We should pray, every day, for our children to receive the knowledge of God with discerning minds. We should ask for God to prosper them in learning, while guarding the truth for them. We know, “The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge (Prv 18:15).” For God has said, “My people are destroyed for the lack of knowledge (Hos 4:6).” How do public school children, in a system that chooses to deny God, gain the knowledge of God at school?

Like Adam and Eve, public schools choose to learn the knowledge of good and evil instead of the knowledge of God (Gen 2:9, 17). The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Prv 1:7), even if man cannot understand this truth. Just because an education system puts its hands over its eyes in broad daylight, does not mean the sun does not shine. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge (Ps 19:2). Clearly, godless education hates knowledge because it does not choose to begin with the fear of the Lord (Prv 1:29). The Creator of heaven and earth is never hindered by the machinations of men and nations.

“Blessed is the nation whose God is Yahweh (Ps 33:12),” and cursed is the nation whose God is not Yahweh. For the Lord is a God of knowledge (1 Sam 2:3), and He blesses Israel with knowledge to know the times (1 Chr 12:32). There is only one nation in the world whose God is Yahweh, and that holy nation is Christ’s church (1 Pet 2:9), the Israel of God (Gal 6:16). God’s people are to be distinct in the midst of the people of the world. They have good works prepared for them (Eph 2:10), and they are equipped with knowledge by God for every good work (Ex 31:3; 35:31). This distinction is manifested by the knowledge of God. Jesus instructed His followers to be salt and light in the world (Mt 5:13–14). He prayed for our protection in this task (Jn 17:15), but promised we would have trouble, nonetheless (Jn 16:33).

Operating in the midst of a godless nation with a godless education system, we obviously need the knowledge of God to understand our own environment. God teaches man knowledge (Ps 94:10; Prv 2:6), and in its application we call it, “Christian worldview.” It teaches us that every pursuit of knowledge is a quest for understanding of how God works in His providence. Knowledge is to be found (Prv 8:10), received (Prv 21:11), stored up (Prv 10:14), spread (Prv 15:7), and treasured more than silver (Prv 8:10), because it adds power (Prv 24:5), but also grief and pain (Eccl 1:18).

The mathematician is looking for perfection. The artist is looking for beauty. The scientist is looking clues as to how Jesus created everything (Col 1:16). The athlete is looking for victory and triumph, and Jesus is triumphant over rulers and authorities (Col 2:10). He is always leading His people in His triumph (2 Cor 2:14). Linguists are looking for better communication, and when it comes to the knowledge of God, He has spoken to us through His Son (Heb 1:2). The point: every quest for knowledge is a quest for the knowledge only God possesses and only God can grant by general or special revelation. Job and his friends were deficient in the knowledge of God. Likewise, there are many who are ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (2 Tim 3:7).

Christians are greatly aided by the fact that God has revealed His Word, His wisdom to us (Is 33:6; 1 Cor 1:24). Christ is the Word enfleshed (Jn 1:14) and the Bible is the written Word of God (2 Tim 3:16; Heb 4:12; 2 Pet 1:20–21). The Word of God gives us the knowledge of God, the knowledge of Christ, and the knowledge of our salvation. It is to our advantage to look at knowledge in these subject areas.

First, there is the knowledge of God. The apostle Paul was exuberant with this knowledge, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways (Rom 11:33)!” The Corinthians were quick learners from Paul, who was not much of a speaker, but he definitely had the knowledge of God and Christ, and the Corinthians knew it (2 Cor 11:6). They, too, abounded with the knowledge of God taught to them by Paul (2 Cor 8:7).

Paul warned the Corinthians about their liberty in Christ, derived from the knowledge of God and Christ. The Corinthians had knowledge which allowed them to enter idol temples and even dine there with others. This act would neither help nor hinder their relationship with God. However, it might cause a weaker brother in the faith to sin, so the stronger one’s knowledge would not edify the weaker. Knowledge is dangerous because it puffs up pride, but love edifies (1 Cor 8:1). Lesson: get knowledge, but walk it and speak it in love.

Paul warned of the lack of profit, for one to have all the mysteries and all knowledge but not have love (1 Cor 13:2). If there is knowledge, it is done away with (1 Cor 13:8). Yet knowledge is better than speaking in tongues (1 Cor 14:6). It is shameful for the church to be in possession of the knowledge of God; and yet, to have some without this knowledge in the church (1 Cor 15:34). Truly, we are stewards of the mystery of the knowledge of God (1 Cor 4:1–2).

The knowledge of God is a spiritual gift, given to a believer in Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:8). Interestingly, Paul distinguishes it from the gift of wisdom and the gift of faith. Clearly, they are related because they all come from the Holy Spirit, who measures them out to believers by the will of God. Christians obviously grow in grace (2 Pet 3:18), grow in wisdom (Lk 2:40), grow in knowledge (Col 1:10), and grow in faith (2 Cor 10:15); therefore, we are encouraged to increase knowledge by His grace. Paul commended himself to the Corinthians as a true servant of God; and his possession of true knowledge, God’s mystery, that is Christ (Col 2:2), was one way for them to identify him as such (2 Cor 6:6).

Second, there is the knowledge of Christ, the knowledge of the Son of God (Eph 4:13). Christ in us is treasure in our earthen vessels (2 Cor 4:7). At the same time, in Christ, are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col 2:3). Paul called the knowledge of Christ, and His triumph at the Cross, “a sweet aroma” (2 Cor 2:14). He also called it, “real knowledge” (Phil 1:9) and “true knowledge” (Col 3:10; 2 Pet 1:8), in opposition to what is falsely called, “knowledge” (1 Tim 6:20). By the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ we are delivered from defilements of the world (2 Pet 2:20). We are cleansed by the washing of water with the Word (Eph 5:26).

We gain the knowledge of God, “in the face of Christ,” which means He is our focus. This knowledge is also identified with light. This light, the light of Christ, has shone in the darkness of our hearts (2 Cor 4:6). We have been illumined within, by the knowledge of the Light of the world (Jn 8:12).

Paul prayed for the Philippians to abound in the real knowledge of Christ (Phil 1:9). We should diligently pursue it (2 Pet 1:5–6). Paul also prayed for the Ephesians, for God to grant them, by the knowledge of Christ, a spirit of wisdom and revelation. The real and true knowledge of Jesus Christ is something for us to ask God for in prayer, believing He will give it, and receiving it with thanksgiving.

Knowledge is the gift of the Spirit, who is making us spiritual people (1 Cor 2:15). The product of this knowledge includes hope, the hope of His calling. It also includes knowledge of the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, that is, Christ in us, the hope of glory. To know the riches of His grace and the hope of Christ allows the Christian to set her mind on the things above, and to deny the importance of the things of the earth, and its corrupt world system (Col 3:2).

Paul taught that knowing the love of Christ surpasses all the knowledge one could gain in the world (Eph 3:19). To have the fullness of God (Eph 3:19), and fullness of Christ (Eph 4:13), comes when the saint is full of the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:55). God is love (1 Jn 4:8), and His Spirit dwells in us (Rom 8:9, 11). Love gives knowledge and truth, but evil distorts them.

The knowledge of God and Christ is frequently under attack by the deceiver, Satan. Speculations, philosophies, lofty ideas, elementary principles of this world, empty chatter, etc., are brought up against the knowledge of God. Paul’s remedy was to make sure every thought was captive to Christ (2 Cor 10:5). Like a sailor on the northern seas, the North Star is always His point of reference. Jesus Christ is our North Star. We keep our eyes focused on Him (Heb 12:2). It is the Spirit of Christ (Phil 1:19), who fills us with the word of Christ (Col 3:16), so that we have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16), to be effective ministers of Christ (Rom 15:16), bearing witness with the Gospel of Christ (Rom 15:19), to bring forth the church of Christ (Rom 16:16), for the glory of Christ (2 Thess 2:14).

Knowledge of God and of Christ multiplies grace and peace for us (2 Pet 1:2). The wicked, having no knowledge also have no rest. Knowing Christ gives us everything pertaining to life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3), but bad behavior highlights, “…they have no knowledge” (2 Pet 2:12).

Third, there is the knowledge of salvation. To know the forgiveness of sins is to know God’s salvation (Lk 1:77). It is the Law of God and the Law of Moses which gives us the knowledge of sin (Rom 3:20). Those given the responsibility to teach the Law of God and the Law of Moses were adding to it and preventing people from knowing salvation. Jesus said, “Woe to you lawyers…”(Lk 11:52). Paul explained, “…having in the Law, the embodiment of the knowledge of the truth (Rom 2:20).” They had it, but they did not understand it.

Paul labored for the sake of the elect (2 Tim 2:10), being a slave and apostle, sent with the knowledge of the truth, which gave faith to the chosen of God (Titus 1:1). The knowledge of the truth is transmitted by the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15); and by this word of Christ, who is Himself, the truth (Jn 14:6), comes faith by hearing (Rom 10:17). Repentance, turning from sin, is called for (Act 17:30), and granted by God, so that people may come to the knowledge of the truth (2 Tim 2:25). Once a person receives the knowledge of the truth, she cannot go on sinning willfully as before (Heb 10:26). Truth frees us to obey God rather than men and demons.

Elect souls are saved by their being given the knowledge of the truth, as part of God’s will and desire (1 Tim 2:4). Jesus opened the ears of the deaf (Mk 9:25), and the Holy Spirit opens the ears of the spiritually deaf (Acts 16:14). The Jews had a zeal for the Law, but they missed the knowledge of Christ (Rom 10:2), which is the knowledge of salvation.

Fourth, there is the appropriation of the knowledge of God, Christ, and salvation. Christ creates the new self, who is being renewed day by day to a true knowledge (Col 3:10). Christians are being molded into the likeness of Christ’s image by the renewing of their minds, being given the mind of Christ, by the indwelling Spirit of Christ.

After writing the epistle to the Romans, Paul expressed his confidence in them, “And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another (Rom 15:14).” They had what they needed regarding knowledge. The Corinthians did, too. Paul’s encouragement to them included the confirmation of their testimony, as discerned by their enriched speech, which revealed their knowledge of Christ (1 Cor 1:5).

The kingdom of God now realized (Rom 14:17) is a foretaste of the new earth, “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God (Hab 2:14). The spirit of knowledge was upon Jesus Christ (Is 11:2), and illumines every Spirit-filled believer in Jesus (1 Cor 12:8; Eph 1:7). There is a day coming when one’s neighbor will never have to say, “Know the Lord” (Jer 31:34). They will know the Lord. That day has arrived for the church, and it is coming to fill the earth with the knowledge of God, and of Christ, and the glory of His salvation. Oh, the depths…

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

February 17, 2021