The Lack of Knowledge

Hosea wrote: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. The more they increased, the more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into shame” (Hosea 4:6-7). God became very angry with the children of Israel because they continually rejected the knowledge, the law that they had received by God. As a result of this rejection to do what was right, God destroyed the children of Israel.

God Laid Down the Law

Long, long ago, God laid down the law for man. From Adam to Jacob God had taught Israel through the Patriarchal law. In Genesis 18:17-19 it says: “And the LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.” We can see where God gave instructions (knowledge) to Abraham on how he was to command his children and his household after him. Abraham was to make sure they kept God’s way, ensuring that they were doing what was right. Later, God laid down the Mosaical Law that was in effect from Moses all the way until Christ died on the cross. We learn from Galatians 3:23-24 that the law was the teacher to bring man up to the point of Christ. “...we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” However, during these two periods of law that were given by God, man did not always heed God’s commands and therefore, many were destroyed because of their lack of knowledge!

Lack of Knowledge Displayed By Actions

In the Old Testament we can read in several places things that God’s children did that showed a lack of knowledge. In Proverbs 22:6 we can read where the parents did not train up their children properly. Parents, we have been given knowledge today on how to raise our children. Children are to be brought “up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). Have we learned anything from God’s people of old? Are we taking the knowledge that God has given to us and using it properly in this area, or are we lacking? In Judges 6:13,25 we can read where they had idols in their homes. Do we have idols in our homes today that keep us from gaining Bible knowledge? We can read earlier in Hosea 4:1-3 that the families were too involved in the affairs of life, and did not gain the knowledge to do what was right, even though it was offered to them. Are we ignoring God’s word to us and getting caught up in the affairs of life? In Second Chronicles 34 we can read where God’s people “lost the book!” How could they gain knowledge if they didn’t even have “the book?” Can you find God’s book in your home today? Is it put aside on Sunday and looked for diligently just before you run out the door on the way to services the following Sunday?

In many ways God’s people today are not much different than His people of many years ago. In both cases many have a lack of knowledge of God’s commandments because they do not WANT to set the time aside to learn and practice God’s will. What happens to individuals that are lacking in knowledge? They are destroyed! If our actions say “I’m rejecting knowledge”, then we need to change before it is everlastingly too late! Gaining the knowledge of God is not a mystery. We are commanded to “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

Living Faithfully

We can read in the second book of Timothy where the apostle Paul exhorted young Timothy to live a faithful life unto the Lord. The instructions that he gave him are inspired instructions for us today. Let’s look at this passage of scripture and then I’ll make some comments regarding some of the things that Paul points out. “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hard-working farmer must be first to partake of the crops. Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. 22) Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:1-7, 22-26).

Endure Hardship

When we are determined to study God’s Word and to apply His teaching in our life, then we will be able to endure hardship. No matter what Satan throws our way, we will be able to overcome. We can never walk in the steps of the Savior if we don’t learn what it is that we must do to walk in His steps. Jesus said: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). He has promised us that if we will take up His yoke, and learn about Him, then we will find rest for our souls. The faithful man of God is the one that really trusts in the Lord and counts on Him to deliver the faithful from the Devil.

Paul explains to Timothy (and to us), that we must endure hardship if we are to be counted worthy of Christ. A soldier of Christ is one that will do whatever it takes to please Him. If we are honestly, sincerely striving to please Jesus, then we WILL NOT get involved with the various affairs of this life which do not promote good, honest, Christian living. We should be busy pleasing our Lord!

Pursue Righteousness

We are encouraged to “pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace”. I just don’t understand why it is that individuals become Christians, and yet never really want to live as a Christian. I used to play baseball and I loved to play baseball from the time I was ten until my mid-thirties. When I put on that uniform and took the field, I was determined to do the very best I could for the team and myself. I practiced hard and played hard as I tried to become the best player I possibly could be. Here’s my point; If I was not determined to do the best I could in baseball, why play? Why should I pretend to want to play baseball if my heart was not really into it? When I became a Christian, I decided to live my life the very best I could for the Lord. In order to do that, to pursue righteousness, and the love of God, it meant that there were some things in this life that I could not do. Being a disciple of Christ means that I have to be careful where I go, what I watch, what I do, what I wear, what I say, and what I think. Paul said in Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-- meditate on these things.” 

Correct Those Who Are In Opposition

A faithful Christian who cares about the souls of others will do what they can to correct those who are in opposition to the truth. Sometimes this is not pleasant but must be done so that they may see their error, repent, and escape the snare of the Devil. Remember, if you are ever corrected by a loving saint, count it a blessing, because they care for your soul.

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is a distinct member of the “Godhead” (Acts 17:29; Romans 1:20; Colossians 2:9). The Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4), and He is distinct from the Father and the Son (John 14:26; Acts 10:38). He was active in creation (Genesis 1:2, 26-27; Job 26:13; Psalm 104:30). He was given to the apostles to reveal “all truth” so that they could preach the gospel or “shew you things to come” (John 16:13). When people believed this preaching, they obeyed and were then saved: “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21).

The coming of the Holy Spirit on the apostles included the ability to work miraculous gifts, such as speaking in tongues in Acts 2:5-12 (cp. 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 for a list of spiritual gifts). These gifts could only be transferred through the laying on of the apostles’ hands (Acts 8:18). Paul stated that these gifts would cease in 1 Corinthians 13:8-10. No one today possesses gifts such as healing or speaking in tongues. The Holy Spirit was given to confirm the word of God (Mark 16:17-20; Hebrews 2:1-4). After the word was “once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3), the gifts were no longer needed.

The Holy Spirit also indwells in us. He does not do it by physically entering our body, helping us to make decisions or “steering” us in the right direction. The Holy Spirit is in us like God is in us (1 John 4:15) and Christ is in us (Colossians 1:27). As long as you and I live by the Holy Spirit’s law (the Bible), He will dwell within us, and we will be guided by His wonderful precepts. At that point, we will “walk in the Spirit” and produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives (Galatians 5:16, 22-23). Conversely, if we do not obey, we will “grieve” the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). Let the word dwell in you and faithfully adhere to it.

Written by: Kyle Campbell

Obedient Faith

Many denominations believe that we are saved by faith BEFORE we do the action in accordance with God’s command. No doubt you have seen those on television attending a huge denominational service that are invited to come forward at the conclusion of the service and to simply say that they believe in Jesus Christ. By admitting to this, they have “let Jesus come into their heart” and are saved at that point in their life. What we see then is that many denominations that are made by man will try to get us to believe that we are justified by faith BEFORE we obey God! But I ask “where in the Bible does it tell of any person that was saved by belief or faith only?” We know that salvation must depend on something more than belief in Christ only because in James 2:19 it says: “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe-- and tremble!” We see from this passage of scripture that long ago James wrote to those of his day and to all generations to follow that belief alone will not cut it. Everyone can believe in Jesus but only a few will allow their belief in Him to live through obedient works. The very next verse says: “But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?”

Bible Examples of Obedient Faith

Men are justified in God’s sight ONLY when they are obedient to His Word. This has been proven throughout the Old Testament which we have for our learning (Romans 15:4), but is recorded in the New Testament showing that it is just as valid today. In each one of these Bible examples ask yourself this question: “At what point were these individuals justified in the sight of God, before or after their works?”

Abel: Hebrews 11:4 "By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.”

Noah: Hebrews 11:7 “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”

Abraham: Hebrews 11:8 “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.”
Hebrews 11:17 “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son.”

Walls of Jericho: Hebrews 11:30 “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.”

Obedience to the Faith

We know that each and every one of these individuals had a deep faith in God, a total belief in God, but they were justified in God’s sight ONLY after they DID the action in which they were asked to do by God. Paul wrote in Romans 16:26: “but now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith.” In closing let’s let James tie it all together for us: “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:21,24,26). I encourage you to be determined to be justified by God’s law and not man’s (Acts 5:29)?

Seek the Lord

In Isaiah 55:6-7 it says to “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:” These are great words of advice from the prophet Isaiah because if we do not seek the Lord (Matthew 6:33) then we will have no hope of eternal salvation. If we seek the Lord, we will find Him, for the scripture says: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:” (Matthew 7:7). It is comforting to know that when we seek the Lord that we WILL find Him. God is no respecter of persons so everyone has the same opportunity to seek, find, and be accepted of God (Acts 10:34-35). 

But some who say they seek God are looking for Him in the wrong way (Proverbs 14:12), and in the wrong places (Exodus 20:34). We need to seek the Lord being determined to let Him guide our way (Jeremiah 10:23). We must be active, not passive in finding the Lord because God will only save us when we obey God. God’s pardon of sin consists in everlasting forgiveness if we obey Him (Matthew 7:21-23), and not the doctrines of men (2 John 9-11). Seek the Lord and obey Him, in order to receive eternal life!

The Blood of Christ

Our greatest need is salvation because sin condemns us and only Christ can save us. God's law has always been that a sacrifice must be made for sin. This has been the way of God from the very beginning. Cain and Able, the sons of Adam and Eve, had to make sacrifice for sin. Under the law of Moses, the blood of animals served as a type of the blood of Christ which would later take away sins. The Hebrew writer says, "And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance" (Hebrews 9:15). But how can the blood cleanse us from sin? The apostle Paul answers that question in Romans 6:3: "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?" In baptism we are washed in the blood of the lamb. That's the reason that baptism (immersion) is essential -- there is no other cleansing but by the blood of Christ.

The apostle Peter told the Jews on Pentecost in Acts 2:38 that they needed to "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Remission of our sins does not take place until one is baptized by the authority of Jesus Christ. Salvation does not and will not take place until one is baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of their sins (1 Peter 3:21; Galatians 3:27; Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16). Jesus pleads for us to "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30). Truly, if we really do love Him, then we will do His will (John 14:15).

Our Spiritual Needs

We were not born in sin, but men of accountable age do sin. We do not inherit our sins as we do the color of our hair. Yet, being sinners, our greatest need is salvation. Since we cannot save ourselves, we must have a Savior. God in His infinite love and grace has provided our salvation through Jesus Christ. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). Why did God send Jesus to die on the cross? Because He was not willing that we should perish, but instead, have eternal life. At great expense God fulfilled His promise to send Christ into the world as our Savior. Over 2,000 years ago, Christ died on the cross for our sins. We thank God for His love and mercy!

God makes two dispositions of sin: 1) If not forgiven, sin brings forth death to the sinner. This is justice. "The soul that sins shall die" (Ezekiel 18:20) and "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). 2) God can and does forgive sins. We cannot live above sin, and we cannot save ourselves, so we are entirely at the mercy of God for forgiveness. Christ died on the cross for our sins, and had He not done this, we would all be doomed to death, for no other person could have died for our sins. However, God has not provided salvation for any of us unconditionally. Salvation is conditional. Jesus said, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:16). Why is it important that we are baptized into Christ? "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:3-4).

We should be so very thankful to our heavenly Father that He sent His only Son to die for us so that we can be saved. God did His part, we must do our part.