For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:5-6 (NIV)
God is a Master of bringing forth light out of our darkness, beauty out of our ashes and bestowing upon us a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. He began in Creation by bringing light out of darkness and He does so in each life who willingly comes to Jesus for salvation. Those who do not know Christ Jesus as Lord walk in darkness and lack the knowledge of God. They wander in a “trackless waste”. Yet those who know the Lord Jesus go from “strength to strength” until they are home with Him.
Believers in Jesus as Lord know and understand that the highest form of knowledge is to know God. He is the Creator of all knowledge, wisdom and understanding - in all their fullness. Christians are enlightened as they are taught by the Lord through His Word and the Holy Spirit indwelling within them – opening blind eyes and filling empty hearts. He Who “being in very nature God” came to open our eyes. And knowledge of Him strengthens our faith, enabling and equipping us to stand firm in all His will – mature and fully assured. The more we know Him, the more we love Him and the more we love Him the more we desire to serve Him. And we never get to the end of the knowledge and the fullness of Him either.
Knowledge of God and of His Word and His ways is beautiful thing, Amen? It breeds security, passion, and purpose in God’s people. Paul tells his beloved Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV): “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” A good question for us to ask ourselves is are we able to correctly handle God’s Word? Because to know God’s Word is to know Him. As believer’s in Jesus, our world is in great need that we do. Indeed, we ourselves stand in great need that we do. We do not want to be swayed by every wind of doctrine. We want to know the Truth and this always brings freedom not bondage. But it does take work. As Paul told Timothy, “Do your best” in this great pursuit. We have been given much and to whom much has been given, much is also expected. Also, what we do with the Truth we know matters greatly. We were never meant to sit, soak and sour rather pour out what has been poured in to bring Him much glory and us much good.
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.** Romans 11:33-36 (NIV)**