2016-09-16
Good Morning Dear Ones,
The reason this segment is named “Competition” has to do with any comparisons one does with the competition, recently discussed, called Gnosticism and God’s word accurately interpreted. To aid in such a discussion, I have sought help from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, New Illustrated Bible Dictionary by Nelson, and www.biblos.com in doing some key word studies. These will allow us to know exactly what meaning the Biblical author intended in the original language—Hebrew in the OT and Greek in the NT. I have taken introductory Greek and have studied Hebrew for the last four years, which makes me no expert in either language. While Hebrew, like English, has less precise grammar, Greek as the most precise grammar of any language in the world.
We began last week looking at the word, “knowledge” as it is used in COL 1: 10, “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” The Greek word, epignosin is used with a Strong’s no. of 1922. In Greek, it is a feminine noun meaning full discernment, acknowledgement, intuition, recognition, or perception, and is pronounced “ep-ig’-no-sis.” Nelson’s makes the point that it is acquired through thought or experience and can’t be gained through unaided human reason. JOB 1: 7, PS 19, RO 1: 19-20 and RO 11: 33 reveal that it’s acquired only as God reveals Himself to His people—through nature and conscience. Mental knowledge alone produces pride and is inadequate -1 COR 8: 1b, “…Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.”
Moral knowledge affects one’s will -PR 1: 7, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” 1 JN 4: 6, “We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth.” The same chapter speaks of experiential knowledge in verses 7-9, “Dear friends, let us love one another for the love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world, that we may live through Him.” Of course, Paul’s wish for his target three cities mentioned in Colossians is knowledge from and of God.
The next word I’m led to study is wisdom. In Greek, it is sophia with a Strong’s no. of 4678. Its meaning is right application of knowledge. You’ll remember the original definitions I gave previously are knowledge is data; understanding is organizing that data to show relationships; wisdom is the righteous application of knowledge and understanding. Nelson’s defines wisdom as facts gotten through experience, i.e. knowledge of God’s truth. PS 46: 10, “Be still and know I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth;” Jesus’ words to Jewish believers in JN 8: 32, “If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Now, we can continue with an analysis of Paul’s prayer, found in COL 1: 9-14. Paul knows that a life lived in the Gospel is one that is worthy and pleasing to God. Paul’s love for the Colossians et al ---“…The faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the world of truth, the Gospel that has come to you. All over the world this Gospel is bearing fruit and is growing, just as it has been among you since the day you heard it and understood it from Epaphras…” Epaphras told Paul about the love in the Spirit that the Colossians had.
Paul reveals, in COL 1: 9 that he has been praying continuously for the Colossians et al, and “asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will; through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” This is what they need to live righteously.
PRAYER: O Lord, it may seem too complicated for us to be probing into the meaning of words first written in a language unfamiliar to us, but knowing what the inspired human writers of the Bible actually mean is giving us insight into Who You are and what You want us to know. Knowing You and Your will for us allows us to live righteously. You are a loving and generous God Who has much to teach us, so that we can live a worthy life, pleasing to You. The more we study this, the more we realize how much that matters to You. In JN 6: 39-40 and EPH 1: 5, You tell us knowing You and Your will for us matters greatly. RO 12: 1-2 also reveals this important message. “…In view of God’s mercy [to] offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God---this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is---His good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Dearest Abba, we feel Your presence; we thank and praise You for caring enough about us to listen to all our prayers. When You answer them, we are blessed. Your heart is revealed in PS 145: 18-19, “The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hares their cry and saves them.” We see how much You love us—as much as limited human perception allows. We are not facing our trials, losses, and disappointments alone. You are always here with us. We offer You our love, willingness to obey, open minds and hearts to Your teaching, praise, honor, thanks, and loyalty, in the holy/mighty name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: I’m led to continue analyzing Paul’s prayer in COL 1: 9-14. Slowly and surely, we will arrive at a word study of the word, fruit. This has some rather far-reaching ramifications both in the life of a believer in Jesus Christ and the church as a whole. The Holy Spirit has put the subject of inner peace on my mind, a God-driven subject through the reminders I’ve received from several unconnected people. As you know, I answer questions and witness to my faith in secured computer chats in real time for “In Search of Shalom.” The very meaning of shalom is “peace”in Hebrew. Some seekers say they have begged God for it and not received an answer; they don’t know how to achieve it. My experience teaches me that the only way to really have it is to live a worthy life of faithful obedience to God. My own life lacked direction and was quite miserable before Jesus came into it. Afterward, things slowly and surely improved. I now serve a huge congregation of some of the most Biblically-knowledgeable and wise people I’ve ever encountered. That direction has been a blessing. They are my teachers, who show me how to live righteously, by their example and their words. My inner peace is God’s gift to me, and I’m more than grateful for it! I pray each of you can have it too. Praise and thanks be to the Lord forever!
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn
JS 24: 15
©Lynn Johnson 2016. All Rights Reserved
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