Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion – it is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ. Billy Graham
Growing in the Knowledge of God
Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Yesterday, we likened the spiritual realm to a four engine plane that required all engines to be in good working condition to ensure the plane flew smoothly.
The knowledge of God was one of these engines. In order to grow in our knowledge of Him, we need to spend time reading His word. As we meditate on His word and be still before the Lord, we will learn to hear His voice so that when He speaks, we can recognise it and walk in obedience to His call.
Abraham’s obedience was spontaneous, even to the point of sacrificing his son. This is because he had absolute faith in God and knew the love that God had for him. The many years of waiting for God to fulfill His promise had moulded Abraham so that his relationship with God was not based on head knowledge but rather, it was a vibrant heart relationship, leading him to walk in intimacy with the living God.
In contrast to Abraham’s obedient sacrifice, King Saul used the act of sacrifice to cover his disobedience. King Saul was told to utterly destroy the Amalekites and to not bring back any spoil after their victory but the fatted calves and lambs were too tempting for him, so he disobeyed God’s command and brought them back. When confronted by Samuel, he replied, saying that he had brought back the best of the sheep and oxen to sacrifice to the Lord. Samuel’s reply to him was that the Lord delighted more in obedience than burnt offerings and sacrifices and because of Saul’s disobedience, God was going to reject him from being king. (1 Samuel 15:22-23)
Both Abraham and Saul knew God but only one was willing to listen and walk in obedience to His commands; the other submitted to his own carnal nature and deliberately disobeyed God’s command, suffering the consequences of his sin accordingly.
Every word in the Bible is given by God’s inspiration but we need our spiritual eyes and ears to be opened by His Holy Spirit in order to receive the Rhema that is able to change our hearts and personally direct our daily walk with Jesus.
Dear Lord,
We spend so much time acquiring knowledge of this world which is passing away but Your Word will not pass away. Help me, Lord, to acquire the knowledge of Your word so that I may walk in obedience and draw closer to You each day. Amen.
God bless you,
Theo & Manju