DRAWING NEAR
August 8
Balancing Knowledge and Love
"If I . . . know all mysteries and all knowledge . . . but do
not have love, I am nothing" (1 Cor. 13:2).
True knowledge is always governed by love.
Christians should never take knowledge for granted. The ability to
learn of Christ and grow in His truth is a blessing beyond measure.
Paul prayed that we would be "filled with the knowledge of [God's]
will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding" (Col. 1:9). That's
what enables us to live in a way that pleases God (v. 10).
But knowledge must be governed by love, just as love must be governed
by knowledge. In Philippians 1:9 Paul says, "This I pray, that your
love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all
discernment." In 1 Corinthians 13:2 he says that knowledge without
love is nothing. That's a God-ordained balance you must maintain if
you want to be effective for the Lord.
In 1 Corinthians 13:2 Paul uses a hypothetical illustration to
emphasize the importance of love: "If I . . . know all mysteries and
all knowledge . . . but do not have love, I am nothing." The Greek
word translated "mysteries" in that verse is used throughout the New
Testament to speak of redemptive truth that once was hidden but now
revealed. For example, Scripture speaks of the mystery of God in
human flesh (Col. 2:2-3), of Christ's indwelling in us (Col. 1:26
-27), and of the church as Christ's Body (Eph. 3:3-6, 9).
"Knowledge" in 1 Corinthians 13:2 refers to facts that can be
ascertained by investigation. It's impossible to know every mystery
and every fact in existence in the universe, but even if you did,
without love your knowledge would be useless. Knowledge alone breeds
arrogance, but love builds others up (1 Cor. 8:1).
Maintaining a balance of knowledge and love is a practical principle
that influences the decisions you make every day. For example, if you
have a choice between going to a Bible class or helping a neighbor
with some immediate need, the better choice is to help your neighbor.
You will have other opportunities to learn the Word, but it might be
some time before you have a chance to show Christian love to your
neighbor.
Suggestions for Prayer:
Ask God for the wisdom to keep knowledge and love in proper balance.
For Further Study:
Read Luke 10:25-37.
How did the lawyer try to justify himself to Jesus? How did
Jesus illustrate love for one's neighbor?
Drawing Near, Copyright 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
Colossians 1:9, 10
9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease
to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge
of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being
fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God
Colossians 2:2-3
2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love,
and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding,
to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of
Christ,
3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Colossians 1:26-27
26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations,
but now has been revealed to His saints.
27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory
of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope
of glory.
Ephesians 3:3-9
3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have
briefly written already,
4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the
mystery of Christ),
5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it
has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and
prophets:
6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and
partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,
7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of
God given to me by the effective working of His power.
8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace
was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable
riches of Christ,
9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which
from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all
things through Jesus Christ
1 Corinthians 8:1
8:1 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have
knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.
Luke 10:25-37
25 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying,
"Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"
26 He said to him, "What is written in the law? What is your reading
of it?"
27 So he answered and said, " 'You shall love the LORD your God with
all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with
all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.'"
28 And He said to him, "You have answered rightly; do this and you
will live."
29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my
neighbor?"
30 Then Jesus answered and said: "A certain man went down from
Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his
clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31 "Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he
saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32 "Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and
looked, and passed by on the other side.
33 "But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And
when he saw him, he had compassion.
34 "So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and
wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and
took care of him.
35 "On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave
them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and
whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.'
36 "So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who
fell among the thieves?"
37 And he said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to
him, "Go and do likewise."
These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.
In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.
If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.
You can hear John MacArthur daily via the Internet by visiting:
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/Grace_to_You/
and
http://www.gty.org.uk/
You may email John MacArthur in care of Grace to You at:
letters@gty.org
NOTE for those of you reading via newsgroups: If you wish to reach
me, please contact me via e-mail for quickest results.
In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase@wowway.com
STOP! Who do you think Jesus is?
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There is a living God. He has spoken in His word. He means just what he says, and will do all that He has promised. - Hudson Taylor
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