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The Knowledge of God Is Vital, October 27
Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory
in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that
glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me.
Jeremiah 9:23, 24
.
Having received the faith of the gospel, ... the believer is to add to his character
virtue, and thus cleanse the heart and prepare the mind for the reception of the
knowledge of God. This knowledge is the foundation of all true education and of
all true service. It is the only real safeguard against temptation; and it is this alone
that can make one like God in character. Through the knowledge of God and of
His Son, Jesus Christ, are given to the believer “all things that pertain unto life
and godliness.” No good gift is withheld from him who sincerely desires to obtain
the righteousness of God.
“This is life eternal,” Christ said, “that they might know thee the only true
God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent” (
John 17:3
). And the prophet
Jeremiah declared: ... “I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment,
and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord”
(
Jeremiah 9:24
). Scarcely can the human mind comprehend the breadth and depth
and height of the spiritual attainments of him who gains this knowledge.
None need fail of attaining, in his sphere, to perfection of Christian character.
By the sacrifice of Christ, provision has been made for the believer to receive all
things that pertain to life and godliness. God calls upon us to reach the standard of
perfection and places before us the example of Christ’s character. In His humanity,
perfected by a life of constant resistance of evil, the Saviour showed that through
cooperation with Divinity, human beings may in this life attain to perfection of
character. This is God’s assurance to us that we, too, may obtain complete victory.
Before the believer is held out the wonderful possibility of being like Christ,
obedient to all the principles of the law.... The holiness that God’s Word declares
he must have before he can be saved is the result of the working of divine grace
as he bows in submission to the discipline and restraining influences of the Spirit
of truth. Man’s obedience can be made perfect only by the incense of Christ’s
righteousness, which fills with divine fragrance every act of obedience.
The part of the Christian is to persevere in overcoming every fault. Constantly
he is to pray to the Saviour to heal the disorders of his sin-sick soul. He has not
the wisdom or the strength to overcome; these belong to the Lord, and He bestows
them on those who in humiliation and contrition seek Him for help.—
The Acts of
the Apostles, 530-532
.
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