Jesus Is The Beginning of Knowledge - Part 698

As newborn babes in Christ, we are to desire the sincere milk of the Word that you may grow. (I Peter 2:2) Indeed, as the scriptures state, the first step to knowledge  and wisdom is fear of the Lord. (Proverbs 1:1-7) Giving reverence to the King of kings and Lord of lords -- essentially the first commandment in both the old and new covenants. That is, to believe on the Lord thy God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. But our devotion and diligence to our faith should not end there. The scriptures state: "Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." (I Timothy 4:13) 

Why? Because the scriptures encourage us and teach us. The scriptures point to our Lord God who later became our Saviour -- His forgiving love -- His everlasting grace that covers a multitude of sins -- His mercy. This is the foundation on which our salvation is established. 

Paul wrote, "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily whether these things were so." (Acts 17:11) With all their hearts, souls and minds they desired the knowledge and wisdom that comes from pressing into Jesus.

Further, unless we know God in Christ and worship Him in spirit and in truth, increasing in faith and knowledge, prospering as our soul prospers, our knowledge will be to no avail. Indeed, all the natural knowledge in the world will be as naught. 

For a wise man will hear and will increase his or her learning beginning with the Word. "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning -- that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." (Romans 15:4) A man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels to understand a proverb and the interpretation; the words of the wise and their dark sayings. (Proverbs 1:1-7)

Indeed, the Word states: "To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion." (Proverbs 1:1-6) "For the Word of God is quick, and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)

Unfortunately, fools despise the wisdom and instruction that only comes from the Lord. Moreover, the fool then in his/her heart has said, "There is no God." How sad for them that they have failed to open their eyes (and hearts) and discover the wonder of the Lord. How sad that they -- unless they turn their eyes to Jesus -- they will never know a God who wants to be a refuge for them in times of trouble, their strength in troubled times. How sad that unless they "come" to Jesus, these will never know Jesus' peace and joy that passes all human understanding. 

Given the choice between life and death, I choose to serve Jesus -- the giver of life. He was in the world but He was not of this world. He was God Himself, veiled in flesh like you and I. God manifest in the flesh. The Spirit of the one Holy God named Jesus came to sacrifice His veil of sin-prone flesh for you and I. 

Therefore, be strong and of good courage. Be not afraid, neither be you dismayed, for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus never fails. Trust Jesus today. Stand in the offering plate.