There are two areas that cause strife and contention in the world by mans religion and they are wisdom and knowledge as attributes of GOD in Christ. These both are also required of us when we have rightly divided the word under the leadership and mentorship of a very personal kind, of the Holy Spirit which meets much resistance because of lack of understanding caused by our own outright ignorance to the Truth. For we like Pilot ask what is truth? But as the Holy Spirit brings us through His school and training we learn by way of His light that we are indeed in need of both knowledge and wisdom for our deeper relationship with GOD in Christ, as these attributed have been deposited in Christ. This is the very reason that I do what I do and say what I say all under the LORD's direction as He lives His Life within and then through me. That stated I take no credit or thought about what to say as I have learned to allow Him to do His works through my mouth. I have not as many have done in memorizing scripture, no I have not memorized a lick of scripture as that is not faith, it's more of trusting in our own ways and means and not the LORD's. Now for Pastor Hoekstra and his fine teaching on Grace our resource for life and faith. As given to us when we have surrendered our ways to His ways, which at times causes us great strife within. These I have called crisis's in my earlier writings in this blog. Todays subject is knowledge beginning with our being enjoined to acquire knowledge of Christ, as Jesus revealed in Matthew 11:28-30. As this also requires our learning of the secret things (Deuteronomy 29:29) and mysteries of GOD (Matthew 13:11 and Luke 8:10). I will as has become my custom use the ESV translation to do my part.
"The Extensive Consequences of Walking by Faith"
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible." (Hebrews 11:1-3)
"In order to live by Grace, we must be willing to walk by faith. For those who actually depend upon the LORD day by day, (thereby accessing His grace), the scriptures regularly proclaim the extensive consequences of walking by faith.
First, let's consider the significant characteristics of faith. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for." Faith is the assuring confirmation of the wonderful things that we anticipate GOD will do. As faith grows in the promises, plans and purposes of GOD, that faith becomes an increasing substantiation of the certainty of those heavenly [spiritual] plans of GOD. Also, faith is "the evidence of things not seen. "Faith is the convicting verification of realities the human senses cannot observe or work. Faith convinces us of the absolute existence of GOD and His angels, Adam and Eve, the devil and demons, heaven and hell, and the prophets and apostles of old.
Next, let's consider some of the living results of faith. "For by it the elders obtained a good testimony." By faith men and women of generations past established a godly witness concerning their relationship with the LORD. "By faith Abel . . . By faith Enoch . . . By faith Noah . . . By faith Abraham . . . By faith Sarah . . . By faith Isaac . . . By faith Jacob . . . By faith Joseph . . . By faith Moses . . . By faith the harlot Rahab . . . [and others]" (Hebrews 11:4-5, 7-8, 11, 20-23, 11:31). Their testimonies were exceedingly diverse. Yet, the common elements were their trust [dependency] in the LORD and the glory such faith brought to His name.
Last, let's consider some of the spiritual understanding of faith. "By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of GOD, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible." God has shaped the heart of all humanity so that the observation of creation guarantees a universal conviction of Himself as creator. "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead" (Romans 1:20). His holy scriptures [teachings] then explain how He created all visible things. "By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth (This being Spirit) in Psalm 33:6." Here we have Christ the breath of GOD revealed.
Knowledge, The Pursuit of Enjoined,
Proverbs 2:1-11 "My son, if you receive My words and treasure up My commandments within you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; Yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of GOD. For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of His saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your (spirit) soul; discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you,
delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech, who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness, who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil, men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways."
Proverbs 3:13-26 "Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed. The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding HE established the heavens; by His knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew. My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught."
Proverbs 4:1-9, 10-13 "Hear, O sons, a Father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, for I give you good precepts; do not forsake My teaching. When I was a son with My father, tender, the only one in the sight of My mother, HE taught Me and said to Me, "Let your heart hold fast My words; keep My commandments, and live. Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of My mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown."
Hear, My son, and accept My words, that the years of your life may be many. I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble. Keep hold of My instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life."
Proverbs 15:7-21 "The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to Him. The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but HE loves him who pursues righteousness. There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die. Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD; how much more the hearts of the children of man! A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise. A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast. Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it. A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention. The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother. Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead."
Proverbs 23:22-23 "Listen to your Father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding."
2Peter 1:1-11 "Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our GOD and Savior Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of GOD and of Jesus our LORD. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him Who called us to His own glory and excellence, by which HE has granted to us His precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our LORD, Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ."
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