MEMORISE:
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Colossians 3:10
READ: Colossians 1:7-10
7 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;
8 Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
MESSAGE
Yesterday we started reflecting on what we need to do after we are saved (2 Peter 1:5-8). We looked at adding virtue to our faith because faith without virtue is incomplete. We saw virtue as the practical demonstration of our faith. Today we want to look at knowledge as an accompaniment of virtue. Do you know that knowledge is the companion of virtue, and that without knowledge virtue can become misguided? This is the reason why Romans 14:16 says,
“ Let not then your good be evil spoken of:”
How can your virtuous act become evil in the sight of God and men? When you fail to add knowledge to your virtue, you will not be guiltless in the presence of your observers. For example, although it is virtuous to be of help to your neighbor, particularly those of the household of faith, stealing to help a brother or sister who is in need is “assistance” without knowledge. In like manner, “helping” a woman become pregnant because her husband has low sperm count is misplaced “help” that will lead to hell fire.
In addition, we must make temperance a necessary companion of our faith and knowledge. Temperance is simply defined as restraint or self-control. Why should temperance be added to knowledge before it can be profitable? The number one reason is that the exercise of knowledge without restraint may lead to an abuse of the faith and be a cause for others to stumble. Speaking about this in 1 Corinthians 8:10-12, the Holy Spirit says,
“For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.”
When we exercise knowledge in such a way that the weak in spirit are discouraged and backslide, such knowledge is destructive. It was the application of temperance that prevented the Lord Jesus Christ from calling down fire upon those who resisted His entering their village, after two of His disciples suggested it and even though He knew He could do so (Luke 9:51-56). May the Lord add to your faith, the necessary virtue, knowledge and temperance in Jesus’ Name.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, please cause me to grow in grace, knowledge and self-restraint for profitable Christian living in Jesus’ Name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 33-34; Romans 11:25-12:8
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 15: NEARER MY GOD TO THEE.
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!
E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer to Thee!
Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,
Darkness comes over me, my rest a stone;
Yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer to Thee!
There let me see the sight, an open Heaven;
All that Thou sendest me, in mercy given;
Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer to Thee!
Then, with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise;
So by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer to Thee!
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