“…Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth anything, he knowseth nothing yet as he ought to know.”  (1 Corinthians 8)

 

As my children would say, POW!!! Paul just burned your whole world….”  Solomon tells us that the beginning of knowledge is the fear of the LORD. There are some very impressive believers. I have watched and listened to a young woman, many years ago, cite from memory the entire Book of first (1st) or Second (2nd) Peter. That is remarkable, is it not?  We have also seen and heard a man on youtube preach from memory the entire Book of Hebrews, this is to be applauded and rewarded. I’ve seen a little boy a very young, little boys sound off all the Books of the Bible.  There are many persons that have learned from catechisms, which by the way are not unique to the Catholic theatre of man made religious tripes and idols.

A catechism is a sound way to instruct all Christ-ians in the knowledge of God and things germain to the faith.  The Puritans used the catechism as did Charles Spurgeon.  One knows not who will be one of God’s elect, however, when one is taught by a catechism prior to one’s regeneration, they are well instructed already when/if the Spirit bloweth upon whom He will. It is no different than say a law student being taught in the law before s/he becomes an attorney.  Children should be trained in the things of God even prior to the Spirit attending that child’s spirit and soul.

Having said all of that we must make a very important, a very, very important point. That point is this:  One may know many, many things about God and that is good and right.  However, with all the knowledge one has regarding God; Is God personally and experientially known by that person that knows so much about God?  Is that person walking in the ways of the Master?  Is that knowledgeable person keeping Christ’s Words?  Does that person love Christ, that he knows so much about.

An analogy:  I know many things about Lincoln, I know many things about Jonathan Edwards and Martyn Lloyd Jones, I know many things about Arthur Pink and Charles Spurgeon, bit i do not know them in any experiential or intimate way.  I have never met any of these men named. I hope to, when God gathers all His people together, but in this stage of my eternal life I only know about these men, but I do not know these men personally or experientially.  The same can be true of a man that knows many things about God without ever knowing God.  This is a sad state, no doubt. We see these type of knowledgeable persons and very active persons being dismissed and dispatched in Matthew twenty-five (25) when Christ says, ” I never knew you.” These never known persons laboured in the church, they did many good works, they knew many things about God but it is clear, they knew not Christ and Christ never knew them.  Frightening, very frightening, is it not?  This reminds me of the last Supper when Christ said one would betray Him…each person present thought to himself,  “Is it I?”

Beloved reader, it is good to know about God, to know the Word, but do not confuse knowing things about God with knowing God.

Godspeed.