The Bible tells us in Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” This passage points to the importance of knowing God’s word. In current times, this concept is beginning to be more and more important. How are we supposed to know when people are distorting what the Bible says. It is becoming more and more common for people to use the Bible to support belief systems that are contrary to the overall premise of scripture. We use God’s word to add weight to our causes even when our cause lacks the fruit of the spirit. Whatever happened to the preaching of love? People may just happen to be watching us from the outside (know that they are), and this scares me. Are they seeing Love? Do we demonstrate patience and kindness? We often use 1 Corinthians 13 as a definition chapter of what love is.
This chapter should also define our actions towards others. Lets not forget the first three verses of “The Love Chapter.” The first three verses basically tell us that it makes no difference if we profess faith in God, if we do not demonstrate the definition that follows. What do we think this means? When the Bible “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing” (NKJV). This is speaking specifically to people that call themselves Christians but do not demonstrate the definition that follows. When we speak, when we act, when we serve, when we live, and when we navigate through the days of our lives, we need to do it with an awareness of whether or not we are demonstrating God’s definition of what love is.
Do not forget that this also involves demonstrating the fruit of the spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 tells us what we are supposed to demonstrate in our walk; “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (NKJV).
It is sad to say that Biblical illiteracy is killing the Church slowly from the inside out, so many of us are illiterate Christians. Matthew 7 warns us of the dangers of Biblical illiteracy, consider verses 15-20 when JESUS warns “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them” (NKJV). (It might do some good to keep reading the verses that follow as well)
“The proof is in the pudding,” so they say (not always sure who “They” are). Even though we are warned, we rarely respond. When people examine our pudding, what does it look like? Is it smooth and creamy or is it chunky; not quite mixed right? Does it taste like fruit or is it bitter; tasting more like flesh? We should examine what we are serving before we tell those around us to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps 34:8)
Thanks for listening; Hope this helps!
C
Truth is, I do not like illiteracy. Exploring God’s word has helped me to understand who he is, and I have found him to be more merciful than I ever thought possible.
I agree, with Remso, exploring God’s word gives great insight into his mercy, long suffering, and forgiveness. Thanks for the great article.