ACQUAINTANCE

“And even as they did not like to retain God in their KNOWLEDGE, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting” – Romans 1:28

KNOWLEDGE here, speaks of ACQUAINTANCE with the Truth, and is an indispensable Key in destiny fulfilment: “Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the KEY of KNOWLEDGE…” (Lk.11:52a). Job 22:21 says, “Now ACQUAINT yourself with Him, and be at peace, thereby good will come to you.” The Bible instructs that we add: “to virtue KNOWLEDGE” (2Pet.1:5b). Virtue is meaningful only when coupled with Knowledge. On the contrary, knowledge without Virtue “puffs off” with pride (1Cor.8:1b). Zeal also is better controlled and curtailed by knowledge: “For I bear them record that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge” (Rom.10:2). Having zeal, without the right acquaintance with truth, will cause a “shipwreck” of faith – catastrophe and spiritual disaster (1 Tim.1:19).

Adding virtue to faith and knowledge to virtue will produce these results: (a) You will be able to bring others up: “And the things that you heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2Tim.2:2). (b) God will approve of you and others will recommend you: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2Tim.2:15). (c) Your testimony and witness will be sound and convincing: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1Pet.3:15).

Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Rom.10:17). By inference, faith comes through Acquaintance with God’s words. Knowledge feeds faith. You cannot afford to keep your faith stagnant. Faith increases as you hear and heed more of God’s words. There are however, specific aspects of His Words that must be kept in constant and conscious focus, namely:

• Knowledge of Who God is: “the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits” (Dan.11:32b). Knowing Christ and the Power of His resurrection guarantees a Life of Triumph (Phil.3:10). Those who refuse to retain God in their knowledge are given over “to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting” (Rom.1:28b).
• Knowledge of the Will of God: “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” (Col.1:9). So, it’s proper to pray for the Knowledge of His Will. His counsel, direction, and guidance are available to passionate Pursuers of Righteousness. We receive the Knowledge of His Will as we are transformed by the renewal of our minds (Rom.12:2).
• Knowledge of the Ways of God: “He made known His WAYS to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel” (Psa.103:7). David prayed: “Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths” (Psa.25:4). God wants us to learn to discern His Finger in life’s unfolding scenarios (Psa.32:8).
• Knowledge of the Works of God: “Do you know the balance of clouds, those wondrous WORKS of Him who is perfect in knowledge?” (Job 37:16). Psalm 28:5 says: “Because they do not regard the works of the LORD, nor the operation of His hands, He shall destroy them and not build them up.” His workings in human affairs include: redemption, salvation, deliverance, healing, and victory in life’s trials.
• Knowledge of the Power and Glory of God: Paul prayed, “that I may know Him and the POWER of His resurrection…” (Phil.3:9). Habakkuk prophesied: “For the earth will be filled with the Knowledge of the GLORY of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea” (Hab.2:14).

Applied Knowledge is Dynamic Power (Phil.3:10). It also assures Growth in Grace (2Pet.3:18). But, lack of knowledge can be calamitous: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” (Hos.4:6). When you are acquainted with Truth, and you know as you ought, you will be at Peace, and good will come to you (Job 22:21).