I love knowledge. As a child, after stumbling across a picture Bible in the library, I wanted to read the real Bible. I had the impression that it was simply a thick book with tiny words, full of information like an encyclopedia. But as I read the real Bible, I realized that knowledge is good but wisdom is much, much better.
Today I recognize that I need to view life in the light of God’s Word. It’s not simply about knowing His Word, I need to have a comprehensive working knowledge of it. As finite beings, however, we have a natural tendency to emphasize certain passages in the Bible and to neglect others.
For example, we might frown if someone considers getting a tattoo: “Do not mark your skin with tattoos. I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:28). Yet, we might politely excuse that same person for missing church, or turn a blind eye to her disrespect toward the elderly. In the same passage, God said, “Keep my Sabbath days of rest, and show reverence toward my sanctuary. I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:30) and “Stand up in the presence of the elderly, and show respect for the aged. Fear your God. I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:32).
So, how can we “be careful to keep all of [God’s] decrees”? (Leviticus 19:37).
John MacArthur’s prayer gives us a clue, “God, we know [that knowing You and Your Word] is more than academic. We know it’s more than just reading and mentally comprehending. It’s to be filled with that knowledge, to love it, to cherish it, to find ourselves saturated by it, and in our minds to be able to draw principles that can be applied in acts of spiritual understanding and issue in a worthy walk.”
May this be our prayer too.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Genesis 32:1–33:16
More:
Note how John MacArthur’s prayer echoes the words of the apostle Paul in Colossians 1:9-10.
Next:
How can you ensure that your study of God’s Word isn’t merely academic? What would it take for you to acquire a comprehensive working knowledge of the Bible?
mike wittmer on January 21, 2013 at 9:48 am
You’re right, Poh, that we all have our blind spots–sins we tolerate, perhaps even support, and others we can’t stand. Perhaps the remedy is in keeping the Great Commandment to love God and neighbor. If I am truly doing this then I will also be doing all that God requires of me. And thank God for forgiveness when I fail!
daisymarygoldr on January 23, 2013 at 6:30 pm
Very true Poh Fang; all of the knowledge we derive from textbooks in school, is as good as dead if it is not applied to real life situations at work. Likewise, Bible knowledge is pointless if we do not apply it to our lives. Knowledge is equally important for without it there can be no wisdom. And wisdom is not the accumulation but the right application of knowledge.
The doctors in the temple were merely well-versed in the scriptures but the boy Jesus had both knowledge and wisdom. The scribes knew all the facts of Christ’s birth and even precisely quoted Micah 5:2 (Matthew 2:5-6) but missed the Messiah. Right application of knowledge brings us to the Lord.
Believe it or not; many atheists are by-products of theological seminaries. An intellectual pursuit of the scriptures will bear no fruit and such scholarly lives will remain devoid of love, joy, peace etc. The Holy Spirit gives life to the letters and helps us rightly apply its truths to our lives. To apply we need to obey.
And how can we obey all the decrees in Leviticus 19 which btw was given to Israel and is not binding on the church today? As Mike Wittmer pointed out, we are commanded to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law and all its requirements are based on these two commandments. Love will do no wrong and fulfills the ultimate purpose of all the decrees of God.
winn collier on January 29, 2013 at 1:31 pm
wisdom is also learning how to apply this knowledge, isn’t it? a humbling work…