Today’s Reading:
1Corin. 8:1-3
“Now concerning things offered (sacrificed) to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies (builds up). And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, this one is known Him.” (vv. 1-3)
The key to spiritual maturity is an intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Love is the most powerful force that can get one to do things he will naturally not do or sacrifice for. For lack of knowledge we perish but I tell you, for lack of love we destroy each other. What is knowledge if there is no love? Knowledge is incomplete without love. Knowledge is of the mind and love is of the heart.
Knowledge without God makes people arrogant because pride fills their mind when they acquire it but love makes people humble or lowly because love fills the heart with humility. The Agape of God when exhibited builds up a person. Love encourages others and helps them to develop or grow up. Having knowledge about God without loving Him is useless. Knowing God is the most important knowledge one must acquire on earth. Knowledge of God develops love in the heart for God and for others.
Only God has all the knowledge in this world and He reveals it to His people as and when He so desires. God knows those who love Him and He loves those people. He gives them the knowledge they need to live successfully because He adds wisdom and understanding in Him to the knowledge He gives them. Beloved, no matter what you know, without knowing and loving God, you are still empty and will waste away. Food that expires or goes bad; Bread left out; Juice or Milk that has spoiled. Twinkies- do not have an endless shelf life - Go bad after 25 days. The key to spiritual maturity is to grow up in Christ, but not grow stale. The longer we follow Christ, the easier it is to let our relationship with him grow to simply be a routine or ritual.
A mature believer: Avoid evil Memorize scripture, Read Bible daily, Be faithful to your wife, Tithe Believe every word of Bible is true, Attend church regularly Do good deeds. The Danger of Knowledge. Knowledge about God is a dangerous thing. It leads us into a false sense of security and keeps us from experiencing intimacy with God. Scripture warns us about a knowledge based faith (1 Corin.8:1). Knowledge is not valuable until it is transformed into action. The trouble with us today is that we are content to rely on knowledge instead of action. What we and the church needs is more study and more application to become the loving example God has called us to be. James 1:22.
OWOLABI, SUNDAY
Prayer:
1. Father, I receive grace to love what you love, in Jesus name
2. Father, guard my heart that I should behold no evil, in Jesus name
3. O Lord, I receive wisdom and understanding, in Jesus name
4. Father, let your church be an example of your love especially unsaved soul, in Jesus name.
5. O Lord, save unrepentant life in Nigeria, in Jesus name.
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